For some time, I've questioned the wisdom of investing too much personal information in any one large web service provider. Thanks to this article in the New York Times, I've decided to stop using Google services. I do not want any company that demonstrates such a cavalier attitude toward the privacy of my information to have access to that information.
(Lest you think that Google simply made a programming oversight, please read the following article. This lastest business with Buzz potentially put people's lives in danger from abused spouses to political dissidents to those who may refrain from seeking suicide prevention help out of privacy concerns. Furthermore, professionals with ethical confidentiality obligations who use Google services such as gmail need to think through those obligations before using those services. But, I guess according to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, those individuals shouldn't be living their lives or engaging in their professions anyway.)
As a result, I will need to work behind the scenes on Learn, and my time to post will be limited for a bit. I will also be unable to keep up on some of my favorite blogs. Rest assured, I will be back both as a writer and reader shortly.
However, I just woke to the start of a lovely three-day weekend, which I plan to spend enjoying my family and life in general. I hope you intend to do something similar.
(Lest you think that Google simply made a programming oversight, please read the following article. This lastest business with Buzz potentially put people's lives in danger from abused spouses to political dissidents to those who may refrain from seeking suicide prevention help out of privacy concerns. Furthermore, professionals with ethical confidentiality obligations who use Google services such as gmail need to think through those obligations before using those services. But, I guess according to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, those individuals shouldn't be living their lives or engaging in their professions anyway.)
As a result, I will need to work behind the scenes on Learn, and my time to post will be limited for a bit. I will also be unable to keep up on some of my favorite blogs. Rest assured, I will be back both as a writer and reader shortly.
However, I just woke to the start of a lovely three-day weekend, which I plan to spend enjoying my family and life in general. I hope you intend to do something similar.
I saw this on a local list as well. Thanks for highlighting it! I'm constantly trying to figure out how to balance my need to blog and try out web toys with safeguarding privacy. Is it even possible in today's world?
I'm sorry it took me so long to respond. Life gets the better of me at times.
I don't think there are easy answers, unless you want to live completely off the grid. I don't want to do that. At the same time, I think it's healthy to remain outraged when our privacy is of no importance in a society based on individual freedom.
For me, I liberally lie when I'm asked for information unless someone has a good reason for needing it. And I try to avoid using the products of companies that don't value my privacy. I also try not to invest too much information in any one company. So, my blog reader, email and analytics programs now come from three different companies.
Those are just my personal choices, though.