Google, Facebook and the Question of Privacy
Yesterday, Google announced that it's changing its privacy policy. This is big news.
Sure, there's lots of legalese involved (although they're promising that the new policy will be more 'transparent') and they're consolidating what were previously sixty (yes, that's 60) separate policies into one (yes, that's 1) - but, according to them, they're doing it so that the user experience will be improved.
Yes and no.
Google has been under the gun for privacy concerns lately - both in the US and Europe. But what's really interesting is why it has become such an issue.
And that takes us to Facebook - the grandaddy of all privacy violators...not that they see it that way, of course.
The question is: Should you?
Facebook's business model has nothing to do with your enjoyment. Sure, they've got their extensive selection of games and apps, and, of course, you can keep up with everyone in your group...and others whom you may or may not know and who may or may not know you. You can post your photos and do the news. You can promote your business.
You can put all the information in the world about yourself out there for anyone to see. And there's that question again: Is that okay with you?
(This, by the way, is why their new Timeline function is so contentious.)
One of the most interesting trends in Facebook-land is that in the US, they're losing users. Granted, with their numbers (over 800 million worldwide), it's not a big deal. But, in fact, it is - because the reason they're losing users in their most mature market is because the students who were willing to put their drinking habits, partying and comments about their 'friends' online for everyone to see are now realizing that those data are available for recruiters and HR organizations to review.
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