Leosghost - 2:06 am on Dec 21, 2009 (gmt 0)

Can data anonymization actually be achieved - in a way that the pieces cannot be put back together? If so, then can guidelines be created and be practically monitored/enforced?

Those question (s) would be irrelevant if they stopped the data gathering

At least they are making some of the right noises at present

Where are they making these right noises ..certainly not eric nor marrissa making them ..

There is enough idealism in the Google ranks

Where ..because their PR machine says there is ..doesn't cut it ..

How can the public be truly informed about the "choices" they are making? And by "informed", I mean my sister-in-law knows it without needing to call me.

Easy ..GORG could use the button that they consider for "tricks" ( such as the "countdown" ) ..the "I feel lucky" button ..
Rename it the "use perso search" button ( and then explain honestly ( if they can remember what the word "honestly" means..they could always use another search engine to look up the meaning ;) ) it via a "what is this" link ..

Keep it next to the current "search" button just like now ..that doesn't even interfere with their layout ..

Make the "search" button cookieless ( except for prefs "safe" - "moderate" -"unfiltered"..and not record the IP ( see startpage.com for how to do this ..if GORGS engineers cant remember where they put their integrity )..and make the "use perso search" 30 day ( or even shorter )cookies of the same sort ..with opted in ( if you click through "what is this" and then accept the "honest" explanation of cross site tracking via all google properties and or tracking systems being used to profile you ..then and only then could clicking "use perso search" be considered "consent" ..

That means ..

They would have to make no change to the search page interface buttons other than the text on one of them ( the translations of "use perso search" ..or "perso search" are not onerous or too large to fit on the button ) ..and they would have to make a "what is this link" appear somewhere on the page if there was an "on hover" over this button ..the "use perso search" button..they could even make the "what is this" link work if scripts were disabled ie: visible all the time just under the button..

Obviously clicking on the standard "search" button disables the cookie reading from the "use perso search" ..remember radio buttons anyone at the plex .."choice" buttons they are called ..same ethical principle :)

Not beyond the wit of the plex one would think ..if they really want to play straight with searchers ..

The above idea I'll let them ( or any other search engine use ) use under GNU ..GORG or MS want that on paper ..they know where to write to me direct or sticky me here ..