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Google’s launch of Buzz on Tuesday, widely seen as an attempt to outdo Facebook, succeeded all right — in the way it ran roughshod over users’ privacy. The sheer volume of complaints over this issue forced Google to tweak privacy controls for Buzz users. Why is it that while Google was building Buzz, it didn’t bear in mind the repeated run-ins Facebook has had with its users over privacy concerns?

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Google

PC World – Google Buzz got off to a rocky start this week with complaints over exposed Gmail contacts and other privacy issues, and Google has scrambled to fix them.In a blog post, Gmail and Google Buzz Product Manager Todd Jackson outline some changes that will make it easier for new Google Buzz users to control their privacy settings. Here’s a rundown, along with more privacy suggestions — as long as Google’s in the mood to fix things.read more

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A few weeks ago, I was hearing rumors about Facebook opening a new email service. Looks like Google beat them to the punch, though, because Gmail just opened up a new Facebook service. Maybe not technically -- Facebook plays absolutely no role in "Buzz," which is what Google named its creation. Buzz just seems to feature some of the same social networking capabilities as Facebook.

Wallflower or Extrovert? Facebook Lets Users Choose by Post

With 200 million members who double as very vocal quality assurance officers, Facebook knows that any tinkering with its privacy policy is going to receive a lot of attention. So its Wednesday announcement of an upcoming series of tests regarding its new privacy settings was carefully marketed as a matter of "control, simplicity and connection" by chief privacy officer Chris Kelly.

ISPs keep their distance from deep packet inspection

Lawmakers in Washington took a break from dealing with the economy this morning to examine one piece of controversial technology that big companies are quickly distancing themselves from - Deep Packet Inspection. The technology, which allows deep granular analysis of network traffic, grabbed the attention of privacy advocates when it was revealed that Internet Service Providers were interested in DPI as a means of delivering targeted advertising at their customers. Now, big name ISPs are distancing themselves from DPI about as much as campaigning Republicans are distancing themselves from the Bush Administration. Testimony this morning from AT&T, Verizon and Time Warner Cable executives were all very similar: we respect our customers privacy, customers should be given an opt-in- not opt-out - ...

Facebook

Facebook is gearing up to face off with the government again—this time over privacy concerns in two different venues: the California courts and a Canadian commission.In California, five users are suing Facebook for disclosing their information to third parties for commercial purposes, without the users’ permission. The plaintiffs are two children under the age of 13 (who, BTW, aren’t allowed to use the site according to the TOS), a user of the “original Facebook,” a model/actress and a photographer. They argue that Facebook violated California consumer privacy laws. They’re looking for a trial, damages and fees. Facebook, naturally, says they “see no merit to this suit and . . . plan to fight it.”Meanwhile, in Canada (as all good adventures begin!) . . . Facebook is facing scrutiny from Privacy Commissioner Julie Stoddard. Stoddard says Facebook’s privacy policy violates Canadian privacy laws.In a complaint from the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC), there are potential problems with Facebook’s practices including: collecting users’ date of birth, the default privacy settings, advertising, third-party apps, future uses of personal info, collecting personal info from sites other than Facebook, deactivating/deleting accounts and the accounts of dead users, non-users’ personal info, mobile usage, account monitoring for suspicious activity and potential deception and misrepresentation.So, basically, everything.The Privacy Commission notified Facebook with a 30-deadline thirty days ago today—so Facebook is supposed to respond today. The commission’s recommendations included “clarifying Facebook’s privacy policies, making it easier for users to remove their profiles and curbing the amount of personal information the site collects from its members,” with special concerns about third party apps. Facebook is supposed to reply with a proposal and time line for change.What do you think? Will Facebook change its policies (willingly or unwillingly), or will they skate past with a song-and-dance explanation for regulators?Comments