Intrusive Google May12 '05

Although Google has been hailed as the "search engine king," and innovator of other advanced products, such as Gmail – there is a sudden "eyes opening" that is occuring among many web users. And it’s not a good thing.

Google is becoming more and more intrusive, with each new product they introduce.

Web Accelerator

This is apparent with the most recent product announcement of Google Web Accelerator.

What seems like a harmless product, has actually caused quite an uproar in the web community (Think Before You Worship) – and in particular, web developers. (37Signals, Benjamin Adam)

The reason?

Google Web Accelerator pre–fetches pages behind links, which acts as an "accelerator," since linked pages are loaded before they are even visited (by clicking on the link). This gives the appearance of faster page loads.

The problem is... it pre–fetches every possible page it can, including pages that should not be viewable by the public, for security reasons.

Not only that, but the information obtained from Google Web Accelerator is sent back to Google, as a form of efficient browsing, later on.

In other words, Google knows every single web page you visit, and the links behind those web pages.

Think that’s not intrusive enough?

Tracked search requests

Google also tracks your search requests:

Notice the link for "My Search History."

Some think this feature is great, and I’ve even found it helpful, as well – but it’s just another example of Google being intrusive.

Gmail

Gmail is an excellent email service, and the search features within are the best I’ve seen. Email management is much easier for me, these days.

However, our email is now in Google’s hands, as well.

What’s next?

So... let’s count how many things Google has intruded upon:

  1. Email
  2. Search requests
  3. All web pages we visit

What’s next?

Categories: Internet , Ponderings

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I'm not terribly concerned with my security or privacy with google. Seriously, if they want it they're gonna get it anyway. Gmail? I use it cause ... Read more.

matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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