At the moment of writing this, Google Chrome is all the hype around the net. Though, at the same day that Google Chrome launched, Google also launched a new version of their popular Picasa and PicasaWebAlbums. Which is considered as one of the top destination for image uploading on the Internet. I don’t believe that the launch of this two services together happened by a chance. Google knew that all the hype will be around the new Google browser. No one seems to mention anything thoughtful regarding the new face recognition that they launched.
First, I would like to introduce you to the new service. When you login to your Picasa web account. You get an option at the right bar of the screen to perform name tagging. Which at first seems to be harmless. We all know the face tagging done on Facebook. In which you personally recognize your friends and tag them with a name, thus, an algorithm isn’t used to scan additional pictures.
Google Picasa is different. When selecting the name tag option, you receive a message stating that you have to wait for about half an hour until all your pictures are processed. Once processed, you will be able to view all your loved ones grouped together in a beautiful way which only Google can provide. So slick and simple.
(Click image to enlarge)
So what scares me… You’re asking? Well, Google’s main business model is through advertising. Google controls most of the Internet advertising market, it’s their main business and frankly they perform it unexceptionally. In addition, Google is also trying to infiltrate the old-school media TV and Newspapers. (You can read more about it here and here).
Did you ever stop and think what will happen if Google will find a way to show us ads on our daily routine. On our way to work, while shopping or just hanging out with friends at a local bar.
I think that the day which Google will shows us ads on the streets is closer than we think. Now, that they are able to recognize our faces. All they need is a camera to recognize us on the street. Oh, guess what!? They already have it!
What will happen when Google will have all the information about us? Isn’t that too much power for one company?
When Gmail started reading our mail and showing us relevant ads. There was a big privacy fuss around the issue. Now, when it comes to recognizing us in person, it seems as if no one is raising up these issues.
At first, Tagging yourself on Picasa seems harmless, but think about what will happen ten years from today. Privacy won’t exist when stepping out of your home.
I am a big Google fanboy. I even believe that I will try their new tagging option because I am way too curious. I also believe in Google’s moto – “Don’t be evil”. Though, we have to raise these issues before it is too late. We should have control over our privacy.
Am I just being paranoid or is this our future?
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1 2 3 Next »if u know so much about their issues, try to avoid them, n do a safe browsing bro. Do not use name tagging and try to avoid what all things will be dangerous to u according to ur view, if u think that by duin something it wll effect ur privacy, do not use that option and try to use another alternative for it. As simple as that, shut off the name tagging and try to use a difrnt name etc.,
Google wants to know what I look like...Yay Google. If you are not willing to write it on a postcard and mail is via regular post then you should not put it on the web. There is no privacy on the net. there never was...there never will. get used to it. no one is that interested in you other than people who know you. I personally want more advertising that is tailored for my tastes. Google cares about me and what I like!! Yay, Google.
if you're such a conspiracy theorist and want to try out the tagging try it using alias'.
Blah.. big brother conspiracy theory.
google is the ultimate resource for hackers.
always has been always will be.
the question now is which kind of hackers are the target audience for this newest slush-fund of information? we'd all like to believe the dont be evil slogan, but does that stop anyone from abusing googles darkside?
Incredible responses so far. I don't see any element of conspircy in what is written above; it's fact and speculation, and if you don't see that it is reasonable speculation at that, then you either desperately underestimate Googles ambition and power or else have no imagination whatsoever.
The simple undeniable fact is that we are gleefully concentrating control over ourselves and society in this one commercial entity in exchange for shiny sparkly new widgets and websites, and benign though Google may seem, on a long enough time scale that can only hurt us.
Great article. Here's why you shouldn't believe the "don't be evil" motto:
http://pocketseo.com/google/115
Why are people scared to use google chrome?
Paranoida or propaganda? I see neither. Just enjoy using this new browser. Can we?
@Carmen Vj et al.
I personally think the privacy debate is moot. If government agencies (and before too long, commercial entities) don't get the information to micro-track us from Google, they'll just get it from the ISPs or OSes. The privacy war has long been lost. We are in damage limitation mode now.
But how can you not see the problem with a Google monopoly of every aspect of the e-world? Look how much damage Microsoft did in such a short period, and that was only an OS for fecks sake! Think of your kids and promote competition for their sakes by taking reasonable steps* to avoiding Google products.
* By reasonable I mean where a reasonable alternative exists. There is no reasonable alternative to Google search so by all means continue to use that, but there is precisely no need for anyone to choose to use Chrome given all the excellent alternatives.
I think you are being overly paranoid, and also your fears of "the Big Brother" probably won't stop you from using Google and other web sites.
If you are truely afraid of people having your information, then stop participating online. I know plenty of people tell the internet (ie. Facebook) more than they share with people face-to-face. Some things you can control and others you can't.