When a company’s name results in the addition of a verb into Webster’s Dictionary, that company has clearly attained a unique level of success. Google is the most modern example of such an organization. Best known for its search engine, Google has grown into a global company with the most talented and intellectual individuals at its helm. Each product or service that the company provides seems to make a consumer’s life a little bit easier. Because of the innovative tools and freebies that the company offers, it becomes hard not to like, if not love, everything about Google. However, it appears as if some the noise of the anti-Google crowd is growing louder and louder. The main argument is that Google maintains too much information about its users, and the intention of use of this information is less known. Furthermore, that the company is attempting to control too much of “our” lives. I’ll provide the information, you can decide.
Larry Page and Sergey Brin met at Stanford University in 1995. Within 3 years, the pair was recognized by PC Magazine for creating a search engine, named Google, which topped the big name competitors in power and execution. As user growth exponentially increased, the variety of search inquires varied to more personal and intimate searches. It should be noted that Google’s privacy policy states that Google does maintain your search inquires, linked to your IP address, for a particular time period. In April of 2004, Google launched Gmail, which is a free email service that provides unlimited space for user emails. Gmail grows quickly and soon rivals competing services like Microsoft’s Hotmail and Yahoo’s email service. Fast forward to 2008, at which point Google created “Google Health,” which allowed users to store and manage health and medical records. Then, next up was the Google phone, the G1, which offers the open platform named Android, which allows for integration of your personal contacts, email, social profiles, mobile Google searches, calendar, pictures, and other information.
In 2010, Google is rumored to be entering new and interesting industries. According to February article on Mashable.com, a popular social media blog, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted Google an order to “buy and sell” energy at market rates. What are Google’s reasons for this, we don’t know. A March article in the Silicon Valley Watcher, a famous tech industry blog, Google is looking into “creating its own internet.” Basically, the company is looking to create its own internet to allow faster and more efficient transfer of data, which means a better internet experience. What this also means is that all of your information or content, if you use such a network, is passing through the servers of Google.
At this point, I ask you where do you stand on the issue? Does it bother you that Google essentially knows who you email, who you talk on the phone with, what you are searching for online, and what disease you have? Obviously you don’t have to use all the services that Google offers, however, will it get to the point that Google controls everything that you need? I am of the opinion that Google is a company that offers amazing tools that definitely make my life easier. Furthermore, you are not forced to use any of their products or services. Not only do I support Google, but I am a customer and tremendous fan. I think that this conversation is an important one, because privacy is an important issue. What do you think?
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