Google Responds to Outrage Over Google Buzz Privacy Hole

[engine]

Google Buzz Privacy Settings Updated [news.cnet.com]

Google announced some changes to Google Buzz late Thursday that show it has belatedly recognized the backlash over privacy concerns with the new service.

Early users of Google Buzz have found the settings very complicated, especially the ones that pertain to privacy. In a blog post Thursday, Google said it built privacy controls into Google Buzz from Day 1 but acknowledged the most strident criticism--that Google made if difficult to make one's list of followers private--in tweaking the set-up process for the new social-networking service.

"... we heard from people that the checkbox for choosing not to display this information was too hard to find, and based on this feedback, we've changed the notice to make it very clear," the company said on its Gmail blog. "We will roll these changes out to all Gmail users later today."

Earlier

Google Launches Buzz [webmasterworld.com]
Massive Privacy Hole in Google Buzz Found [webmasterworld.com]

[zeus]

J_RaD - thats be cause they combine all there info and now they are entering the Cell phone market, so thats the reason.

[JS_Harris]

google is now requiring PHONE VERIFICATION for new gmail accounts!

Huh? is the person going to recognize my voice to confirm it's me or something? Ahh, no, they're going to accumulate phone numbers now....

I started telling the cashier at my local grocery store to use the generic phone number every teller has when they ask for my number. They look at me as if it's odd that I don't want to provide my number but they punch in their number anyway and I get the savings anonymously. Buying food and opening an email account shouldn't require a loss of privacy imo.

[blend27]

google is now requiring PHONE VERIFICATION for new gmail accounts!

They ask you for a mobile number.

So if you don't have a mobile phone and you don't have an alternative email address you cant OPEN a new Shiny GMAIL Account!

I could see the Hosting/Registrars companies go after this: Buy a domain and get a free private email account: No Mobile Phone needed!

[zett]

I could see the Hosting/Registrars companies go after this: Buy a domain and get a free private email account: No Mobile Phone needed!

Or simply: "Buy a domain and get a free private email account!"

[engine]

A new Buzz start-up experience based on your feedback [gmailblog.blogspot.com]

We've heard your feedback loud and clear, and since we launched Google Buzz four days ago, we've been working around the clock to address the concerns you've raised. Today, we wanted to let you know about a number of changes we'll be making over the next few days based on all the feedback we've received.

I am just so surprised that all the smart people at Google couldn't work this out before making it live, without setting the cat amongst the pigeons.

One thing that is clear, just like some of Google's other services, they are morphing into something else.

Google really want to get into Social Networking, and they thought this was the quick and easy way to do it.

Will I use my Gmail as a social networking service? No, for me, it's an e-mail service.

[Staffa]

google is now requiring PHONE VERIFICATION for new gmail accounts!

Maybe on suggestion by its new friend the NSA ?

Justice Dept. wants phone locales without warrant
Should the government be allowed to track a person's movements based on cell phone records, without evidence of criminal wrongdoing?

[apnews.myway.com ]

[ChanandlerBong]

there should be, as Eddie Izzard would say, a "crowbar separation" between e-mail and social networking. What's next? The IRS opening their own social networking site?

Your friend Lizzie just got audited!
Like | Comment | Share
3 other friends being investigated for possible evasion. Join the party!

Problem with Google? Too many PhD's, not enough common sense. The 41 hues of blue fiasco [stopdesign.com] was a clear sign of that.

[skibum]

Not enough. Should be opt-in, not opt-out.

They dont know the meaning of opt-in. Never have. Your ad dollars or your privacy, they will help themselves to it.

[System]

The following 2 messages were cut out to new thread by brett_tabke. New thread at: goog/4081335.htm [webmasterworld.com]
9:32 am on Feb 16, 2010 (cst -6)