LA Times blog published an article this week, about the unveiling of Google’s new Google Dashboard, with which users can gain an understanding of the data the company stores user data in the 23 Google-provided services. This announcement is likely in response to the mounting questions users have about how their personal data has been, or is being utilized. The service gives a clearer view of how user data is stored and used by programs such as Gmail, YouTube and Google Docs.
Concerning the matter, Alma Whitten, a Google engineer who works on Privacy and Security, has been quoted: “We think of this as a great step towards giving people transparency and control over their data, and we hope this helps shape the way the industry thinks about these issues.” Simply put, the Dashboard is a page listing each Google service that retrieves and stores user data. Essentially, Google Dashboard is only a consolidation of existing functions, not some new service or set of tools by which users can be in control of their data.
Although much of the curiosity surrounding Google’s data storage revolves around their mysterious methods for obtaining, analyzing and profiting from user information, the Dashboard seems to offer little insight into those realms. It neither specifies which services keep user data, or for how long the data is stored. It also doesn’t alert users that their Web search histories and e-mails are constantly being scanned with the sole purpose showing them targeted ads. “To most folks, I think that there is a general expectation that even when we launch a product that doesn't have a clear business model associated with it, there's a possibility that advertising could be associated in some way,” said Shuman Ghosemajumder, Google's business product manager for Trust & Safety. According to Google, they plan to add features to the Dashboard and include services not introduced in the first version – Analytics, AdWords, AdSense, and Book Search to name a few – into forthcoming versions. via David Sarno @ The LA Times
Comments
Comments are closed.