Author Topic: The Google Computer in the Sky  (Read 20822 times)

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Richard Myers

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The Google Computer in the Sky
« on: October 27, 2010, 06:14:27 PM »
Anybody ever wonder how Google can afford to provide all of the "free" stuff?

Ever wonder if you still have privacy? Wonder about what they collect?  Is there a problem? I have reason to believe they know much more than you think. Anyone care to inform us more fully of what they collect and what they do with the information?
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Mimi

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2010, 07:42:40 PM »
What's up, Richard? They have been in the news lately because of Google TV they wish to launch ...
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Tamara

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2010, 05:06:49 AM »
I am just wondering.. yes privacy is important. But should we not have anything accecible on these contraption that we do not want seen. That we would be ashamed to have seen by others? Isn't everything we do seen anyway by something else in the sky? Or more importantly something in our hearts...
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." ~Psalm 91:2

JimB

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2010, 07:35:55 AM »
Brother Richard brings up a very important topic that many ignore because google is providing free services. If you use google at all your searches, clicks etc... are tracked and permanently recorded. If you use google mail all your email is permanently kept on file even if you delete it. At least yahoo deletes deleted email after 90 days (at least that use to be their policy). If you use google's calendar to organize your life you can be sure that all that is also permanently kept. They do all of this in the name of advertising and money. Both Google and Facebook say that privacy is a thing of the past and that people shouldn't expect it.
Google's bots also scour the internet every day making permanent copies of all the websites it can find. Even if the website doesn't exist anymore you can still view it using google's cache option. If you've signed up to use Google's "Latitude" service you can be sure that every move you make while your cell phone is recorded and stored. If you take advantage of Google Books guess what?

Google isn't the only one interested in what you do while you're on the internet. Did you know that your browser tells your current website the last website you visited? Most websites have web bugs that track every click and how long you spent viewing/reading a particular webpage.

Now some will ask that if you don't have anything to hide then what am I worried about. What I'm worried about is privacy. It's nobody's business in the first place. What I purchase, click on, read, etc is no one elses' business even though it's innocent and nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm not ashamed of my grocery list but what's on it is not yours, google's or anyone elses' business.
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Mimi

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2010, 07:40:02 AM »
I'm with you, Jim. I just found this:

The Network Advertising Initiative has a site - http://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp  - that shows you which ad networks have cookies on your browser, and lets you opt out of being tracked, although Eckersley said there are better opt-out tools to use. In my case, of roughly 60 ad networks listed on the site, all but 14 had a tracking cookie on my browser. Looking under the hood of my browser, I could see that everyone from home maven Martha Stewart to Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg was essentially peering over my shoulder in my cubicle. But there are ways to maintain your online privacy.

Google’s Ads Preferences Manager allows anyone to see the interest profile created from their search and browsing history, and to block Google’s tracking if they chose.

A good way to access the site is through Google’s Privacy Center, where the Internet search giant lists its privacy tools. Go to http://www.google.com/intl/en/privacy_tools.html, then click "Ads Preferences Manager." (While in Privacy Center, also check out Google Dashboard, where you can set the privacy settings of any Google service you use.)
  They're Watching You - Vancouver Sun

Google seems to have the best search engine. What is the next best alternative? Is there one that even comes close?
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

JimB

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2010, 12:38:01 PM »
This is from just yesterday.....


http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/5dc89048-e1e3-11df-b18d-00144feabdc0.html

US trade commission ends Google probe

Google admitted for the first time last week that the cars it had used to photograph residential streets for its Street View mapping service had illicitly collected some personal e-mails and passwords from the homes it passed. The breach was first announced in May.
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2010, 08:10:48 PM »
Google is interested in one thing, money. Like Microsoft, they are a new breed. There has always been greed, but today it is a science. They are brazen enough to admit that they do not believe you have a right to privacy. Someone needs to track these little kids every move for about a year, then broadcast it on television and the internet and radio. All of it. Every single word and picture. They then may change their minds.

There are people in the world that will use information to hurt people. These kids don't know what they are doing and they don't care. Can you imagine when the generation after Bill Clinton get into power!! 

Oh....I guess they have. Would that be Obama and company from Chicago?  And I guess that is also the Microsoft kid?  Prophecy is fulfilling right before our eyes. We live in the days as they were just before the flood.

Google has collected private emails and passwords while driving by people's homes.   They do not believe you have a right to privacy, that includes your passwords.  I think we get the picture.  You don't have to subscribe to Google services, you just need to exist and Google will discover your private conversations and your passwords.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

JimB

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2011, 01:56:34 PM »
Why Has Google Been Collecting Kids' Social Security Numbers Under the Guise of an Art Contest?

What you're about to read hasn't been reported anywhere, and when it was brought to my attention, I could hardly believe it.

It turns out that the company sporting the motto "don't be evil" has been asking parents nationwide to disclose their children's personal information, including Social Security Numbers, and recruiting schools to help them do it -- all under the guise of an art contest. It's called, "Doodle-4-Google," a rather catchy, kid-friendly name if I do say so myself. The company is even offering prize money to schools to enlist their help with the promotion. Doesn't it sound like fun?  Don't you want your kid to enter too?

What could be wrong with filling out a few entry forms?

A national, commercial database of names and addresses of American children, especially one that includes their dates of birth and SSNs, would be worth many millions to marketing firms and retailers. 

Of course, data collection is not the reason Google gives for doing this competition. Their FAQ says it's because "We love to encourage and celebrate the creativity of young people..." etc. If that's so, then why on earth would the contest's original Parent Consent Form ask for the child's city of birth, date of birth and last four digits of the child's SSN?  Along with complete contact info of the parents. 

Source
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

JimB

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2011, 07:27:46 PM »
Wow... just when I think Google can't get any worse in it's practices something new comes up. Now in California they are trying to pass a bill that will allow the consumer the legal right to NOT be tracked. As if we don't already have that right. Now Google is opposing this law because they want to track us. Read for yourself...

Google has become the only browser marker to explicitly join lobbyists opposing a proposed law giving consumers the legal right to keep companies from tracking them online.

The giant has put its name to an alarmist letter signed by 30 other organizations, trade groups and individual companies, objecting to the passage of a Do-Not-Track bill that was debated for this first time by politicians in Google's home state of California this week.
Source
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Mimi

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2011, 07:47:03 PM »
They are truly against liberty and are not ashamed to admit it. It's unbelievable. Are we sure they are not the beast of Revelation 13?  ::)
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Richard Myers

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2011, 09:30:56 PM »
Here is the California bill:

BILL NUMBER: SB 761   AMENDED
   BILL TEXT

   AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 25, 2011
   AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 4, 2011
   AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 24, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Lowenthal

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2011

   An act to add Section 22947.45 to the Business and Professions
Code, relating to business.


   LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 761, as amended, Lowenthal. Computer spyware.
   Existing law, the Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware
Act, prohibits a person or entity other than the authorized user of
computer software from, with actual knowledge, conscious avoidance of
actual knowledge, or willfully, causing computer software to be
copied onto the computer of a consumer in this state and using the
software to (1) take control of the computer, as specified, (2)
modify certain settings relating to the computer's access to or use
of the Internet, as specified, (3) collect, through intentionally
deceptive means, personally identifiable information, as defined, (4)
prevent, without authorization, an authorized user's reasonable
efforts to block the installation of or disabling of software, as
specified, (5) intentionally misrepresent that the software will be
uninstalled or disabled by an authorized user's action, or (6)
through intentionally deceptive means, remove, disable, or render
inoperative security, antispyware, or antivirus software installed on
the computer.
   Existing law establishes the  California  Office
of Privacy Protection for specified purposes relating to protecting
the privacy rights of consumers.
   This bill would, no later than July 1, 2012, require the Attorney
General, in consultation with the  California
Office of Privacy Protection, to adopt regulations that would require
a covered entity, defined as a person or entity doing business in
California that collects, uses, or stores online data containing
covered information from a consumer in this state, to provide a
consumer in California with a method to opt out of that collection,
use, and storage of such information. The bill would specify that
such information, includes, but is not limited to, the online
activity of an individual and other personal information. The bill
would subject these regulations to certain requirements, including,
but not limited to, a requirement that a covered entity disclose to a
consumer certain information relating to its collection, use, and
storage information practices.  The bill would, to the extent
consistent with federal law, prohibit a covered entity from selling,
sharing, or transferring a consumer's covered information.  The
bill would make a covered entity that willfully fails to comply with
the adopted regulations liable to a consumer in a civil action for
damages, as specified, and would require such an action to be brought
within a certain time period.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 22947.45 is added to the Business and
Professions Code, to read:
   22947.45.  (a) For the purposes of this section, the following
definitions shall apply:
   (1) "Covered entity" means a person or entity doing business in
California that collects, uses, or stores online data containing
covered information from a consumer in this state. "Covered entity"
shall not include any of the following:
   (A) The federal government or any instrumentality of the federal
government.
   (B) The government of any state or any instrumentality of state
government.
   (C) Any local government or instrumentality of local government.
   (D) Any person who can demonstrate that he or she does all of the
following:
   (i) Stores covered information from or about fewer than 15,000
individuals.
   (ii) Collects covered information from or about fewer than 10,000
individuals during any 12-month period.
   (iii) Does not collect or store sensitive information.
   (iv) Does not use covered information to study, monitor, or
analyze the behavior of individuals as the person's primary business.

   (2) (A) "Covered information" means, with respect to an
individual, any of the following that is transmitted online:
   (i) The online activity of the individual, including, but not
limited to, the Internet Web sites and content from Internet Web
sites accessed; the date and hour of online access; the computer and
geolocation from which online information was accessed; and the means
by which online information was accessed, such as, but not limited
to, a device, browser, or application.
   (ii) Any unique or substantially unique identifier, such as a
customer number or Internet Protocol address.
   (iii) Personal information including, but not limited to, a name;
a postal address or other location; an e-mail address or other user
name; a telephone or fax number; a government-issued identification
number, such as a tax identification number, a passport number, or a
driver's license number; or a financial account number, or credit
card or debit card number, or any required security code, access
code, or password that is necessary to permit access to an individual'
s financial account.
   (B) "Covered information" shall not include the title, business
address, business e-mail address, business telephone number, or
business fax number associated with an individual's status as an
employee of an organization, or an individual's name when collected,
stored, used, or disclosed in connection with that employment status;
or any information collected from or about an employee by an
employer, prospective employer, or former employer that directly
relates to the employee-employer relationship.
   (3) (A) "Sensitive information" means any of the following:
   (i) Any information that is associated with covered information of
an individual and relates directly to that individual's medical
history, physical or mental health, or the provision of health care
to the individual; race or ethnicity; religious beliefs and
affiliation; sexual orientation or sexual behavior; income, assets,
liabilities, or financial records, and other financial information
associated with a financial account, including balances and other
financial information, except when financial account information is
provided by the individual and is used only to process an authorized
credit or debit to the account; or precise geolocation information
and any information about the individual's activities and
relationships associated with that geolocation.
   (ii) An individual's unique biometric data, including a
fingerprint or retina scan, or social security number.
   (iii) Information deemed sensitive information pursuant to
regulations adopted by the Attorney General under subparagraph (B).
   (B) The Attorney General in consultation with the
California  Office of Privacy Protection may, by regulations
adopted pursuant to subdivision (b), modify the scope or application
of the definition of "sensitive information" as necessary to promote
the purposes of this act. In adopting these regulations, the
Attorney General shall consider the purpose of collecting the
information and the context in which the information is used; how
easily the information can be used to identify a specific individual;
the nature and extent of authorized access to the information; an
individual's reasonable expectations under the circumstances; and
adverse effects that may be experienced by an individual if the
information is disclosed to an unauthorized person.
   (b) (1) No later than July 1, 2012, the Attorney General, in
consultation with the  California  Office of Privacy
Protection, shall adopt regulations that would require a covered
entity doing business in California to provide a consumer in this
state with a method for the consumer to opt out of the collection or
use of any covered information by a covered entity.
   (2) The regulations shall do the following:
   (A) Include a requirement for a covered entity to disclose, in a
manner that is easily accessible to a consumer, information on the
collection, use, and storage of information practices, how the entity
uses or discloses that information, and the names of the persons to
whom that entity would disclose that information.
   (B) Prohibit the collection or use of covered information by a
covered entity for which a consumer has opted out of such collection
or use, unless the consumer changes his or her opt-out preference to
allow the collection or use of that information.
   (3) The regulations may do the following:
   (A) Include a requirement that a covered entity provide a consumer
with a means to access the covered information of that consumer and
the data retention and security policies of the covered entity in a
format that is clear and easy to understand.
   (B) Include a requirement that some or all of the regulations
apply with regard to the collection and use of covered information,
regardless of the source.
   (4) The regulations shall not interfere with, affect, or prohibit
a commercial relationship between a consumer and a covered entity
where the consumer expressly opts in to the collection and use of his
or her covered information by the covered entity for the purpose of
engaging in that commercial relationship. However, if a majority of
the covered entity's revenue is derived from online advertising and
marketing, the regulations may regulate and affect such a commercial
relationship.  
   (4)
    (5)  The Attorney General may exempt from some or all of
the regulations required by this section certain commonly accepted
commercial practices, including the following:
   (A) Providing, operating, or improving a product or service used,
requested, or authorized by an individual, including the ongoing
provision of customer service and support.
   (B) Analyzing data related to use of the product or service for
purposes of improving the products, services, or operations.
   (C) Basic business functions, such as, but not limited to,
accounting, inventory and supply chain management, quality assurance,
and internal auditing.
   (D) Protecting or defending rights or property, including, but not
limited to, intellectual property, against actual or potential
security threats, fraud, theft, unauthorized transactions, or other
illegal activities.
   (E) Preventing imminent danger to the personal safety of an
individual or group of individuals.
   (F) Complying with a federal, state, or local law, regulation,
rule, or other applicable legal requirement, including, but not
limited to, disclosures pursuant to a court order, subpoena, summons,
or other properly executed compulsory process.
   (G) Any other category of operational use specified by the
Attorney General in regulations adopted pursuant to this subdivision
that is consistent with the purposes of this act.
   (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and to the extent
consistent with federal law, no covered entity shall sell, share, or
transfer a consumer's covered information.  
   (c)
    (d)  A covered entity that willfully fails to comply
with regulations promulgated by the Attorney General pursuant to
subdivision (b) with respect to any individual is liable to that
individual in a civil action brought in a California court of
appropriate jurisdiction in an amount equal to the sum of the greater
of any actual damages, but in no event less than one hundred dollars
($100) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), and such amount
of punitive damages as the court may allow. In the case of any
successful action under this section, the covered entity shall be
liable to the individual for the costs of the action together with
reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the court. A civil action
under this section shall not be commenced later than two years after
the date upon which the claimant first discovered or had a
reasonable opportunity to discover the violation.
                                                    



Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

JimB

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #11 on: May 06, 2011, 06:02:43 AM »
Once in a while something good does come out of California. No offense Richard. :) I quickly read through the bill and it looks like a decent bill. I now understand why Google would be opposed to this as it severely limits the data that can be collected from a person's computer while they are online. One of things listed as data that could not be collected was the following...

(ii) An individual's unique biometric data, including a
fingerprint or retina scan, or social security number.


This may seem odd at first but a lot of laptops these days are coming standard with these options. I haven't seen a laptop that will do a retinal scan but I have laptops that do a facial and/or finger print scan in order to log into the computer. This data has to be stored locally on your hard drive so with the correct software it could be siphoned off your laptop without your knowledge.
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2011, 12:14:09 PM »
There is a big push to get everyone online.  As much as I don't want to do business online, it is getting harder and harder. When the price difference is substantial or you can only access the product or service online, then we are there.  It will increase rapidly.


Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

JimB

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #13 on: August 03, 2011, 06:09:09 AM »
A picture of your face is all it takes for Alessandro Acquisti at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to access a wealth of personal information.

This kind of identification relies on people sharing their information on social networks in the first place, but of course many happily do this. What they may not realise is that information from different networks or or even their friends can be linked, building up a surprisingly rich picture of their identify.

Source


If you don't read the whole article you might be wondering why I posted this in the Google topic. Well as you might guess Google has purchased technology. Unfortunately when it comes to your friends and family you have no control over the content that they put up on their social-networking accounts. So even if you're careful not to release much information on the internet your picture is probably already up on the internet somewhere. :(
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

JimB

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2012, 07:07:06 PM »
If you're using any of Google's services this article suggests that you might want to start thinking about actually reading what you're agreeing to. I did the bold parts.

However, as many have pointed out in social media outlets and other technology news sites, the Google Drive Terms of Service has some strange wording that should give any writer or business user pause. Here is the key section of the Terms of Service taken from the Your Content in our Services section (emphasis added):

    When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content. The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones.
  Source
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Mimi

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2012, 07:10:12 PM »
That's a little broad, don't you think? Maybe after a while they will require our first born? Unbelievable!
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Richard Myers

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2012, 08:20:12 PM »
With Google Maps on a smart phone, they know where you go every day. And we give them permission to publish this on the internet when we sign their agreement? Sounds pretty dangerous to me.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

carls365

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2012, 08:32:16 PM »
And the whole world is putting everything they do, who their relatives are, what their kids do, they put their whole lives on Google and Facebook. When Gmail first came out, they said they don't delete anything. That was enough for me, I don't trust anything they (Google and Facebook) say or do and least of all post my photo anywhere. When the time comes, they are going to make the work of the beast mighty easy finding anyone.

Mimi

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #18 on: May 03, 2012, 08:49:43 PM »
Yep. We have had some interesting discussions pro and con on the use of social networks.  8)
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Dorine

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Re: The Google Computer in the Sky
« Reply #19 on: May 04, 2012, 03:55:24 AM »
I did a google search the other day on my name. I was  :o at the information that came up about what websites I had visited, addresses from years ago of the different places I've lived in the States and Canada and if you wanted to know the details of my life just send $14.00 and they will supply you with that information. I've often wondered how much of what is on TRO is kept somewhere unbeknown to us. Is that possible?
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14