whitenight - 12:52 am on Dec 6, 2007 (gmt 0)

the current incarnation of Google, at least, does care about individual privacy rights

No, the current incarnation of Google, understands that most of the world is focusing on their every move to make sure they are adhering to privacy rights, precisely because of who they are and what information they have access to.

You don't get a "gold star" and "smiley face" for following the rules and playing nice.
Thats basic business sense,
unless they want millions of citizens calling the lawmakers asking for real government oversight.

.

beat up on Google about this, but rather to support the already strong stances they are taking and encourage them to take even more

Again with the gold stars and smiley faces...
Is Google a small child learning the ABCs?

Multi-billion dollar companies don't get credit for not breaking the law and the accepted rules of global society!

Ok, here ya go, Goog.
Here's some "encouragement"
Be a good boy and you'll get a cookie:

* Stop "extorting" websites to place any type of unnatural notice on their links simply because your algo is 5 years out of date.

* Stop engaging in FUD campaigns with your information suppliers and figure out a system to communicate with them when they "upset your tummy"

* Start notifying - in a easy-to-find manner - all the "millions of average users" what exactly the TBPR green pixels indicate. Why? if it's up to date and/or accurate? and Why they should install your toolbar to see it.

* Start explaining exactly what you are doing with the billions of pieces of personal data you collect on surfers habits.

What, if any, safeguard are in place to ensure it isn't accidently place all over the public aka AOL.

What company policies are in your charter that ensures that data is used for only certain purposes?

What company policies are in place that require shareholders votes to change the use of privacy data, etc.

* I can think of a hundred more after Google is "encouraged" to put the above into effect and widely published by their PR department.