Google services
Google offers an array of services such as apps, platforms and products to enable people to interact worldwide. On the other hand, it gathers user information to improve and tailor its services to the needs of an individual customer. In this regard, Google data policy allows the establishment to collect the private information of users. The company captures all the user activity during a browsing session which is then linked to a Google account. Hence, Google monitors the actions of its customers through infringement of their privacy instead of safeguarding it. Thus, if Google accessed and controls data of users, it violates their right to privacy and confidentiality by making them vulnerable to third parties.
The website’s data collection policy is not justifiable because it intrudes into people’s lives. The move makes users uncomfortable when using the service since they understand that their search data and browsing history is being exposed somewhere. The data policy makes clients engage in several commercial agreements with third parties without their knowledge. Although it may be the firm’s move to sustain itself by offering the data to third parties, the act is unethical despite the profits generated. However, the Internet establishment has plenty of revenue streams and enjoys a sizeable market share that can sustain the business without harvesting customers information. Overall, the collection of clients data for commercial purposes without clients approval is wrong and unethical.
On the contrary, sustaining Google’s ecosystem requires substantial resources to keep it afloat. Google incurs considerable costs in maintaining its systems and servers due to its powerful algorithms and processing power. If the price is passed directly to consumers, the cost of the Internet will rise, and many customers may not afford to access it in the time when stakeholders are calling for net neutrality. For this reason, Google uses customers data as leverage to woo third parties with commercial interest given its broad clientele. As a result, customers are cushioned from being charged by the establishment and can enjoy its services for free as long as they have internet bandwidth. Similarly, customers enjoy quality internet services customized as per their expectations. Hence, Google’s data policy aims to cushion users from high internet costs and guarantee seamless user experience.
I feel that the data policy infringes my privacy since I am forced to agree to its terms whether I like them or not. Google should have sought my consent on which type of data they can mine instead of doing it on their terms. The user does not have a say but rather accept the conditions because Internet services is a necessity. The move by Google to collect my private data contravenes my right to privacy and confidentiality. In the event of a data breach, my privacy can be exposed to lethal hands who may use it against me. Thus, Google’s private policy interferes with the privacy of its consumers.
In my opinion, the collection of personal data outweighs its negative consequences. The current economy is data-driven such that customer footprints are used to determine the type of products they prefer. As a result, a user will easily find the information he or she needs on the Internet without wasting too much time. The data will help Google to configure its algorithms to suit users goals and objectives, thereby enhancing the Internet experience. Besides, the data being collected is usually bulk and encrypted in a specific format. It will not make economic sense to browse through billions of records looking for information of a single user. Therefore, the data collected is meant to benefit Internet users to achieve their aims with ease.
Nonetheless, I enjoy several controls privileges that determine what information can Google can collect about me. The firm has configured its activity controls in a manner that makes me decide the type of activity that can be saved in my account. For instance, I can keep my YouTube browsing history to receive better video proposals. Similarly, I can manage my advert preferences concerning the advertisements shown to me on Google and sites and applications that collaborate with Google to display ads. In this regard, I can adjust my preferences, select whether my details can be used to customize ads and enable or disable some adverts. Likewise, I can modify what information others can see about me across Google services. For instance, I can choose if my name should appear on my activity, such as product reviews and recommendation on an advert. Thus, Google has tried to grant users powers to safeguard a section of their privacy.
In general, Google should make some changes to improve its data collection policy. For instance, they should use codes instead of actual names of users when storing clients’ information. The technique will enable a user to remain anonymous in the event of data loss or theft. Besides, the company should allow users to determine the kind they can collect from a user. Not all Internet users would like to see some of their data collected by the firm. Overall, Google should seek an opinion from its customers when adjusting its data collection policy.
Work Cited
https://policies.google.com/privacy?fg=1#intro (Links to an external site.)