Posted by David Quiram on Tue, Mar 20, 2012
Google's new privacy policy has been out for a while and went into effect March 1, 2012.
I know this is old news, but you really should be aware of these changes. Do you care? Should you care?
I hope you answered yes to both. Odds are if you did, well you have read the new policy already. If you have not, here are some reasons to do so.
If you use Google for anything, read them. Google trimmed down over 60 policies to just one to rule them all. They took a lot of time to do this and it is probably for a good reason. Honestly, the reason they probably did it was to better their business more than to better your experience. I know that sounds cynical, but they know the better experience you have with Google products, the more you will use them. The more you use them, the more money they make, which is why Google is in business...to make money.
One of the blurbs from Google that prompted me to read the policy was the following:
"Tailored for you...if you're signed into Google, we can do things like suggest search queries - or tailor your search results - based on the interests you've expressed in Google+, Gmail, and YouTube. We'll better understand which version of Pink or Jaguar you're searching for and get you those results faster" - from the policy change email sent out to Google users.
Ok, did you get that. We can tailor your search based upon the information we have on you. Great, faster searches, that will make internet use better, which it does. But what if your signed into iGoogle at work and you do a search on a subject which then pulls not safe for work results based up some information in your Google meta data? Not good. Suddenly you are in violation of some HR clauses. Granted that is a farfetched scenario, but it is possible if you are not aware of how all the data that is accessible to Google interacts.
Every business owner who uses Google products should read the policies. This is the sort of thing that IT departments use and maintain for business. Consider Google your IT department and they just sent you an important memo. You need to be aware of how your data rests with Google. If you are not, your neglecting a resource and risks.
Yes it does sound like I am anti-Google. Which I am not, I am fully invested with Google and Google is my friend. The migration from many to one policy I think is a great move. It makes it easier to understand how the different products interact and I don't have to read a different policy for each product. What I want is everyone who uses Google to be informed of what they are using.
Posted by The Blogging Desk on Wed, Apr 27, 2011
Sony:
Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID. It is also possible that your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained. If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained. While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.
That quote comes directly from Sony. Ouch! That's pretty much the worst thing anyone wants to hear when dealing with a service that has your credit card information. Well, I think may the worst thing would be Sony telling you someone DID charge your credit card and has stolen your identity. That would be worse, I think.
It's funny that this happened, not "ha-ha" funny necessarily, but my debit card is expiring this month. I've been deluged with emails from services that have that CC information and would like me to add the new one. It's pretty silly how many services keep that information handy when you think about it. Xbox may have made me buy three 360s thanks to faulty planning, but they never let my personal information get stolen.
I don't know about you, but I'd be looking to unload my PS3 right about now. I'm sure those slick salesmen over at GameStop are cooking up some trade-in scheme as we speak. They may even give you $50 for it!
Situations like this force you to evaluate your own situation with regards to just who has your information handy. Your job? How does your IT department run your security solutions? What kind of information is on your phone? You may even decide to pull back a bit. Who knows what kind of info that tasty Frappé grabs from you as you sip that delicious, smooth Caramel Frappuccino. Now I really want to go to Starbucks.
Can anyone lend me a few bucks? I had to cancel all my credit cards this morning.
