"Google is in the process of making some unpopular changes to some of their most popular products. Those changes, cloaked in language like “transparency,” “simplicity” and “consistency,” are really about one thing: making it easier for Google to connect the dots between everything you search, send, say or stream while using one of their services.
"But, the way they’re doing it is making it harder for you to maintain control of your personal information. Why are they so interested in doing this that they would risk this kind of backlash? One logical reason: Every data point they collect and connect to you increases how valuable you are to an advertiser.
"To be clear, there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to improve the quality of an advertising product. But, that effort needs to be balanced with continuing to meet the needs and interests of users. Every business finds its own balance and attracts users who share those priorities. Google’s new changes have upset that balance, with users’ priorities being de-prioritized. That’s why people are concerned and looking for alternatives.
"If these changes rub you the wrong way, please consider using our portfolio of award-winning products and services…."
Yep. And the classy and timely commentary they make on these Google issues really makes me think they're not a reactive monothilic opportunistic megacorp trying to cynically manipulate me at all. Those Microsoft guys... maybe they're not so bad!
Won’t be the first time Microsoft used propaganda against a competitor (this manufactured brouhaha over the new privacy policy could be their doing for all I know).
I'm not sure what they find so objectionable about the new privacy policy seeing as Google isn't collecting additional data, isn't selling it and is not removing the tools they already have in place to control it; and they've significantly reduced the text involved and gave a notice more than a month in advance.
> this manufactured brouhaha over the new privacy policy could be their doing for all I know.
Let's see if I've got this...
The world's largest web search provider, also a leading email provider, while also launching a social networking platform, makes sweeping changes to its privacy policy that affect millions with no opt-out...
And it's plausible to you that Microsoft is behind the arched eyebrows. You'd rather posit a Ballmer conspiracy than the simplest explanation.
[+] [-] raganwald|14 years ago|reply
"Google is in the process of making some unpopular changes to some of their most popular products. Those changes, cloaked in language like “transparency,” “simplicity” and “consistency,” are really about one thing: making it easier for Google to connect the dots between everything you search, send, say or stream while using one of their services.
"But, the way they’re doing it is making it harder for you to maintain control of your personal information. Why are they so interested in doing this that they would risk this kind of backlash? One logical reason: Every data point they collect and connect to you increases how valuable you are to an advertiser.
"To be clear, there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to improve the quality of an advertising product. But, that effort needs to be balanced with continuing to meet the needs and interests of users. Every business finds its own balance and attracts users who share those priorities. Google’s new changes have upset that balance, with users’ priorities being de-prioritized. That’s why people are concerned and looking for alternatives.
"If these changes rub you the wrong way, please consider using our portfolio of award-winning products and services…."
[+] [-] VikingCoder|14 years ago|reply
Yup, all right there.
[+] [-] sek|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] joebadmo|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sp332|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] johnmmix|14 years ago|reply
Maybe attitudes have genuinely changed at MS in the ~3 years since IE8 came out?
[+] [-] 1010011010|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] yanw|14 years ago|reply
I'm not sure what they find so objectionable about the new privacy policy seeing as Google isn't collecting additional data, isn't selling it and is not removing the tools they already have in place to control it; and they've significantly reduced the text involved and gave a notice more than a month in advance.
I think this is the best take on this whole issue: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/01/31/on-the-go...
[+] [-] danilocampos|14 years ago|reply
Let's see if I've got this...
The world's largest web search provider, also a leading email provider, while also launching a social networking platform, makes sweeping changes to its privacy policy that affect millions with no opt-out...
And it's plausible to you that Microsoft is behind the arched eyebrows. You'd rather posit a Ballmer conspiracy than the simplest explanation.
[+] [-] sfard|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] spwmoni|14 years ago|reply