Google ‘revises’ privacy policies

[DaBees-Knees]

http://www.p2pnet.net/story/43504

October 3 is the date set by Google to implement its latest ‘privacy’ modifications. It “insists” this is to “simplify its policies” and reduce “legalese” and “make its policies more accessible to consumers”, says InternetNews.com.

“Long, complicated and lawyerly — that’s what most people think about privacy policies, and for good reason”, says Google associate general counsel Mike Yang disarmingly (he hopes) in a blog. “Even taking into account that they’re legal documents, most privacy policies are still too hard to understand”, he says, going on:

“So we’re simplifying and updating Google’s privacy policies. To be clear, we aren’t changing any of our privacy practices; we want to make our policies more transparent and understandable.”

Whenever a Google spokesperson uses phrase “To be clear” you can be reasonably sure his/her real intention is the exact opposite. And does that mean for all these years its privacy policies have been opaque and incomprehensible?

“The obvious problem with the revised privacy policy is that Google is now treating user data collection as part of an integrated platform.

Previously, users could selectively reveal information to Google for the use of a particular service,” InternetNews.com has Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), stating, “The FTC needs to investigate these changes. He says, “This has significant implications for the privacy of Internet users who have previously provided personal information to Google,”

“To be clear” you can be reasonably sure his/her real intention is the exact opposite"

Googles past history on it's privacy policy hasn't exactly been a shining example.  

Editorial note - A detailed break-down, already pre-dated as “last modified” on October 3, has been posted at the URL at the top of this page for anyone who wishes to read it in full.