A privacy watchdog group complained to federal regulators on Tuesday about Google's new Buzz social networking service, saying it violates federal consumer protection law.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center filed its complaint with the Federal Trade Commission just days after Google Inc. altered the service to address mounting privacy concerns.
Since launching Google Buzz as part of Gmail a week ago, the search company has come under fire for automatically creating public circles of friends for users based on their most frequent Gmail contacts. Over the weekend, Google altered the service to merely suggest contacts for its users' social networks.
Despite the changes, EPIC argues that privacy violations remain because Google automatically signs up Gmail users for Buzz, rather than waiting for them to do so themselves, or "opt in" for the service. EPIC wants the FTC to require Google to make Buzz a "fully opt-in" service. It also wants the company barred from using Gmail address book contacts to compile social networking lists.
"This is a significant breach of consumers' expectations of privacy," EPIC Executive Director Marc Rotenberg said in a statement. "Google should not be allowed to push users' personal information into a social network they never requested."
But Google insists that it gives users control because, even though it adds a "Buzz" link to all Gmail accounts, users must click on the link and agree to activate the service. Google also gives users the option to disable Buzz.
In response to the EPIC complaint, Google said it has already made some changes to Buzz based on user feedback and has "more improvements in the works."
"We look forward to hearing more suggestions and will continue to improve the Buzz experience with user transparency and control top of mind," the company said.
17 comments:
It's definitely cool that Google's trying it's hand at social networking. It's a huge deal right now with teens and adults alike, and Google's previous success could be transferred to that field of the online world. However, social networking sights require signing up and creating an account by choice, and Google definitely needs to rethink their methods of getting people to join. By synching user's email contact lists, privacy has definitely been breached. If people can make a conscious choice to join the network, I say it's fine.
I understand that some people feel as if their privacy has been breached, however, I believe that they are overreacting. Google clearly stated that to even use the social networking site you must agree to activate the account. Google is just trying to get on board with the latest trend of social networking and blogging and should not be punished for it.
This is pretty cool and yet dumb at the same time because giving you all these people that are complete strangers, that have access to your profile.even though you have to confirm the "buzz" in order for it to work,i guess that's a tad bit better but im sure alot of people would not want this,unless they are very socia, love to meet new people and network.Google changing it now to where they just suggest people like facebook,is way better because you have the power to choice who u want to be friends with.overall people can just disable it if they dont like it,its not that hard.
I have to agree with the people that believes that this is invading people's privacy. Even if they get the google user the choice to activate or disable the Buzz thing. They still shouldn't have just put it on to google users account without there consent. It should be the google user's choice if they want to even have it in there account. They should not be force to where they want to activate or disable it because google decided to put it on there account anyway and then say that they have a choice but they put the Buzz on there accounts without consent anyway.
EPIC fail... just let google go, this isnt serious. Seriously, it doesnt matter! So what that they sign people up automaticaly? Its not like you absolutely have to use it... urg
I think that like facebook and myspace it is possible for something like that to be dangerous, but only if your really really stupid. Google is working to maintain the privacy factor and people shouldn't complain. If buzz bothers you then don't click it.
I think EPIC has the right to be upset about Google's Buzz but still not all social websites started off perfect. Many of the other social websites had their flaws and have improved. I deffinately agree on the breach of privacy though because automatically transfering someones private information to a new network with out that persons consent, no matter if they can undo it, is just wrong. People should have the choice to decide what social networks they want to participate in.
I think EPIC has the right to be upset about Google's Buzz but still not all social websites started off perfect. Many of the other social websites had their flaws and have improved. I deffinately agree on the breach of privacy though because automatically transfering someones private information to a new network with out that persons consent, no matter if they can undo it, is just wrong. People should have the choice to decide what social networks they want to participate in.
I like that Google is trying to become more than just another website. They have already created the Google's Book Search which makes millions of books available to read online (with the publisher's permission, of course). The social network they have now created is a good idea. There shouldn't be any controversy about the privacy issues since users must agree to even activate the account.
If you value your privacy that much, dont join. Simple at that. There are other networks you can use that may give you more privacy
Automatically signing up Gmail users for Buzz is definitely a violation of privacy. Users should choose themselves whether or not they want to be part of that social networking service. I completely agree with Marc Rotenberg...
if the user does not want to have Buzz then just take it off, no big deal, Google gives you that option. But Google does need to think about having thier users sign up for Buzz instead of automatically signing them up for it.
I feel that EPIC is taking things a bit far, though google should take social networking more seriously, with accounts and such, instead of just a click of a button.
I do understand that people think their privacy is being violated and I think it would be wise of Google to take a new approach to Buzz that requires users to sign up in order to use it. Google was just trying to catch up with what's going on on the rest of the internet, they just made a minor mistake. Fix it or send out a mass email to all Gmail users telling how to disable it if they want and move on.
On one hand, Google shouldn't automatically sign you up for a Buzz account. But on the other hand, at least you can choose whether you want to activate it or not. Well, I guess I side with EPIC on this one. Websites should always ask for your permission to release information, make a social networking profile, etc.
Because google clearly states that you have to activate the account they should not be punished for something that they went by and can be found in fine print, google is merely trying to keep up with the times as far as a social networking aspect and provide services much like the customary tools that our world is use to.
Google is doing there thing by allowing people to either use the buzz or not use it at all. They state that in order to use it, you must first activate it. Its not really that big of a deal, either use what's given to you or don't use it at all.
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