Post by PickyChicky on Jul 8, 2014 12:49:33 GMT -6
Here's another article I found that relates to how Google is catching the attention of not only legislators around the globe, but also consumers and those who provide products and services to them. There have been many discussions about how people don't trust Google and this article should peak your interest because legislators and businesses are taking notice of consumers' distrust and fear of Google.
Although, the U.S. seems to be giving Google too much leeway, making up lame excuses for not legally pursuing its actions that scream anti-trust. However, the EU's numerous legal actions against Google may just force the U.S. to start taking its own actions, particularly since U.S. consumers are just as distrustful and fearful of Google.
At least many U.S. businesses are hesitant to collaborate with Google in various industries (ie, grocery delivery services) because they realize the importance of how their customers feel about Google and their data-collecting tactics. It truly is scary just how big Google has gotten and I don't think many are aware just how broad their scope is. I mean, you might ask what would Google gain from getting into the business of grocery delivery services.
The answer relates to Google's focus on information gathering — globally. According to Google's own stated Mission, "To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful." How does Google use this information? For the answer to that, just do a Google search and take a gander at the types of ads it provides you — "to give users predictive information and alerts before they realize they need them."
Take Google's February acquisition of the smart home company Nest, for example. Nest Labs is the creator of the world’s first learning thermostat, which is focused on reducing home-energy consumption. The Nest Learning Thermostat learns about you and your home to automatically turn itself down when you’re away, guide you to energy-efficient temperatures when you’re home, and free you from programming hassles by creating a customized temperature schedule.
Why would Google have an interest in such a company? Because of the data they collect on your offline activities as it relates to energy consumption. So, consumers, businesses, and legislators should be wary of Google's expansion practices because they are looking to "reach into and organize just about every data source it wants — from things as insignificant as your email conversations, to the entirety of the world’s literature. To Google, understanding your Internet habits and mapping the whole earth really aren’t all that different."
And we all worry about Big Brother? While Big Brother is worth worrying about, we might need to start asking just who Big Brother really is — or at least who his friends are.
Related Articles:
With Google Inc's Endless Expansion, Will It Ever Be Broken Up? — While this links to the Chronicle's posting of the article, it was originally posted by Dan Newman on The Motley Fool site.
Nest: Just Another Big Data Source for the All-Seeing, All-Knowing Future Google — Ricardo Bilton, VentureBeat
Although, the U.S. seems to be giving Google too much leeway, making up lame excuses for not legally pursuing its actions that scream anti-trust. However, the EU's numerous legal actions against Google may just force the U.S. to start taking its own actions, particularly since U.S. consumers are just as distrustful and fearful of Google.
At least many U.S. businesses are hesitant to collaborate with Google in various industries (ie, grocery delivery services) because they realize the importance of how their customers feel about Google and their data-collecting tactics. It truly is scary just how big Google has gotten and I don't think many are aware just how broad their scope is. I mean, you might ask what would Google gain from getting into the business of grocery delivery services.
The answer relates to Google's focus on information gathering — globally. According to Google's own stated Mission, "To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful." How does Google use this information? For the answer to that, just do a Google search and take a gander at the types of ads it provides you — "to give users predictive information and alerts before they realize they need them."
Take Google's February acquisition of the smart home company Nest, for example. Nest Labs is the creator of the world’s first learning thermostat, which is focused on reducing home-energy consumption. The Nest Learning Thermostat learns about you and your home to automatically turn itself down when you’re away, guide you to energy-efficient temperatures when you’re home, and free you from programming hassles by creating a customized temperature schedule.
Why would Google have an interest in such a company? Because of the data they collect on your offline activities as it relates to energy consumption. So, consumers, businesses, and legislators should be wary of Google's expansion practices because they are looking to "reach into and organize just about every data source it wants — from things as insignificant as your email conversations, to the entirety of the world’s literature. To Google, understanding your Internet habits and mapping the whole earth really aren’t all that different."
And we all worry about Big Brother? While Big Brother is worth worrying about, we might need to start asking just who Big Brother really is — or at least who his friends are.
Related Articles:
With Google Inc's Endless Expansion, Will It Ever Be Broken Up? — While this links to the Chronicle's posting of the article, it was originally posted by Dan Newman on The Motley Fool site.
Nest: Just Another Big Data Source for the All-Seeing, All-Knowing Future Google — Ricardo Bilton, VentureBeat
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