Google Plus Privacy Policy: What You Should Know

google plus privacy

Do you know your Google+ privacy rights?

Google Plus Privacy

Because I’m an Internet lawyer, I decided to test out the new Google Plus Privacy. You can click the link in the prior sentence to see my Google+ profile as an example.

After the company’s privacy fiasco with Buzz last year, the new Google+ goes out of its way to explain privacy rights.

Four Google Plus Privacy Policies

Actually, there are at least four Privacy Policies that cover Google Plus privacy…

1. Google’s main privacy policy

2. Google+ privacy policy

3. The Google +1 button privacy policy (this is similar to the Facebook “Like” button)

4. Google’s mobile privacy policy (for smart phones etc.)

Every one of these policies describes the type of information Google collects and how it is used by Google and others.

What You Should Know About Google Plus Privacy

My take is that Google+ is more user-friendly than Facebook, particularly the ability to sort your contacts by category into circles for communication purposes. Some of your information may be used by Google and its advertisers pursuant to the company’s privacy policies. It’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons. This means that if you’re trying to protect yourself online, be sure to understand Google Plus privacy policies before using Google+ (or other social media for that matter).

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Filed Under: Internet Lawyer, Privacy, Social Media, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Internet Attorney: Is Your Google Gmail Password Safe?

As an Internet attorney, I try to keep up with issues that can affect you and an online entrepreneur. Here’s something you should know. A January cyberattack apparently accessed Google’s password system called Gaia a.k.a. Single Sign-On. Whether or not your Google Gmail and other passwords are safe (unknown), it is a good idea to regularly change your passwords. Be sure to use a combination of letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, etc. that you’ll remember but won’t be easy for hackers to crack.

Remember that hackers aren’t your only privacy concern. When you read an e-mail in your Gmail inbox, check the ads surrounding it. Chances are the keywords in your Gmail are used to generated targeted advertising at the top and to the right of the message. In other words, even password-protected Google isn’t that private (at least to Google and its advertisers). You’ll want to discuss your privacy rights with your Internet lawyer and be sure to avoid sending confidential information via unencrypted e-mail.

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Filed Under: CyberCrime, Internet Attorney, Privacy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Gmail Privacy: Are You Giving Away Your Business Plans to Google?

When you go to an Internet marketing event, you don’t run around the room telling all your potential competitors your new business ideas and trade secrets. And if you find spyware on a computer filled with your business documents, you don’t leave it there to harvest your confidential information.

Why not?

Because you want to implement your plans before someone else does.

Yet the odds are good that you’re telling Google your business plans and other confidential information on a daily basis. And if you believe Google’s informal “Don’t be evil” motto, then perhaps your trust is well-placed.

But are you willing to take the risk?

Here’s an example…

I recently sent an e-mail to one of my Gmail accounts from my law firm as a test. The e-mail described a nonexistent “Project X” as being being important, potentially the “next Google,” and the need to get a patent right away to protect intellectual property rights.

Checking the message in the gmail inbox, I was hit with a bunch of sidebar ads by attorneys including patent lawyers.

Think about that for a moment.

If Google is willing to sniff through your e-mail to target advertising, what is it willing to do when it comes to your business ideas that you’re communicating back and forth daily by e-mail?

Note that I”m not picking on Google. The same could be said of Yahoo! and others. Google just happens to be a very good example because major Internet marketers prefer to use it because of ease and functionality. However, this convenience comes at a price…the privacy of your business plans.

If you develop a better widget, understand that your e-mail communications are not private. And when it comes to gmail, know that the content is being actively scanned for keywords…at least for advertising. Perhaps more. Who knows? Maybe your widget plans will become Google Widget 1.0. If so, good luck trying to collect royalties.

On a lighter note, check out this related humor video regarding Google and privacy.

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Filed Under: Internet Marketing, Spyware, Trade Secrets Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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