If you are a netizen then you undoubtedly know Google. But you rarely know its policies. But now it is time to take a look of the terms as the internet giant is going to renew its policies with effect from this year.
Google has faced several requests from different countries including including India, China, Germany, France, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States etc during January to June 2011 for removing contents on search engines, Youtube, blogs
and several other products including Ads also. These requests were based on various reasons including obscenity, hurting communal feelings, enmity between classes, hurting religious values, criticising politicians etc among others. Many a times Google declined these requests on reasons which have better backing of its existing content and community standard policies and terms of services.
However, some major setbacks were faced by Google over its service mechanisms from China and India. Recently Indian Courts and Government took a very firm decision against Google, Facebook etc. With such requests, demands, orders, threats etc being received, it has come out with new policies. If you are a regular internet user the most important thing you must look out is the matter of privacy over the internet. When you are Googling in the net, these newer terms will bind you and your actions. Now let us take a brief look at the privacy policy of Google.
First we may refer the privacy principles since Google affirms that they have changed the policies but sticks to their principles remain unchanged. The first principle is to provide its users with valuable products and services. It believes in transparency. It never sells users' personal information. Now based on these principles and new terms of service the privacy policy has been framed.
Google asks for certain information from you while you sign up for its products. This includes personal information like name, phone number etc and also asks in certain circumstances, other informations relating to your use of certain services and products. This policy is based on the principle of providing better services.
Google also collects information without your permission which are stored in server logs. These automatic collection includes information with respect to usage of a particular service, your queries over search engine, Internet Protocol address, your system activity, hardware settings, your browser type, language, etc. It also collects your location information. These details undoubtedly makes way for better user experience in future while you uses its services.
While you install any addons or applications of Google in your system, Google records a Unique application number.
Google sends many cookies to collect your information from the device you are using to access its services.
So its kinda horrible. Google is clearly crawling into your privacy. You are not alone while sitting in a corner of your room and Googleing in the net. You are being watched for sure. But dont be afraid. Google itself clarifies their stand by stating their privacy principles. The new privacy policy describes how Google uses these information collected from users.
The new privacy policy will be helpful to serious netizens who do not just crawl around the web by cheating and impersonating others. Google needs all these information for its own survival when complaints from Government departments arise. In a sense the collection of information will help Google to protect its stand and also to provide better service to users.
