Google watching what you do off the Internet

[Will E Worm]

Google starts watching what you do off the Internet too

The most powerful company on the Internet just got a whole lot creepier: a new service from Google merges offline consumer info with online intelligence, allowing advertisers to target users based on what they do at the keyboard and at the mall.

Without much fanfare, Google announced news this week of a new advertising project, Conversions API, that will let businesses build all-encompassing user profiles based off of not just what users search for on the Web, but what they purchase outside of the home.
In a blog post this week on Google’s DoubleClick Search site, the Silicon Valley giant says that targeting consumers based off online information only allows advertisers to learn so much. “Conversions,” tech-speak for the digital metric made by every action a user makes online, are incomplete until coupled with real life data, Google says.

“We understand that online advertising also fuels offline conversions,” the blog post reads. Thus, Google says, “To capture these lost conversions and bring offline into your online world, we’re announcing the open beta of our Conversions API for uploading offline conversion automatically.”

The blog goes on to explain that in-store transactions, call-tracking and other online activities can be inputted into Google to be combined with other information “to optimize your campaigns based on even more of your business data.”

Google is all but certain to ensure that all user data collected off- and online will be cloaked through safeguards that will allow for complete and total anonymity for customers. When on-the-Web interactions start mirroring real life activity, though, even a certain degree of privacy doesn’t make Conversions API any less creepy. As Jim Edwards writes for Business Insider, “If you bought a T shirt at The Gap in the mall with your credit card, you could start seeing a lot more Gap ads online later, suggesting jeans that go with that shirt.”

Of course, there is always the possibility that all of this information can be unencrypted and, in some cases, obtained by third-parties that you might not want prying into your personal business. Edwards notes in his report that Google does not explicitly note that intelligence used in Conversions API will be anonymized, but the blowback from not doing as much would sure be enough to start a colossal uproar. Meanwhile, however, all of the information being collected by Google — estimated to be on millions of servers around the globe — is being handed over to more than just advertising companies. Last month Google reported that the US government requested personal information from roughly 8,000 individual users during just the first few months of 2012.

“This is the sixth time we’ve released this data, and one trend has become clear: Government surveillance is on the rise,” Google admitted with their report.

Article

 

[Rey C.]

Doesn't surprise me one bit.

 

[squallumz]

what bugs me is that they bundle chrome with like every downloadable software. they hit your over the head with that browser like there's no tomorrow. its smart marketing and its working.

i still refuse it.

 

[JasonCook78]

They shouldn't be able to do that.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Article

The NWO continues to grow...

 

[L3ggy]

Google ftl.

 

[lurkingdirk]

So? What are you doing on your computer that you don't want google to see? Who cares?

 

[Mr. Daystar]

Let em....they'll be seeing lots of pussy, guns, Harley parts, and pussy. Did I say pussy?

 

[Cthulhu.fhtagn]

Today I tried to use Google Translator in Firefox and it didn't work. I wonder if it's just another step into World Domination.

 

[Rey C.]

So? What are you doing on your computer that you don't want google to see? Who cares?

Well, to be honest, I'd rather that Sergey's cousins in Russia not be able to use this "feature" to access my financial transactions. I try to be a giver around the holidays. But (unknowingly) buying a 65 inch plasma on my credit card for a pimply faced Russian kid ain't my idea of being generous. I have nothing against Russians. I wouldn't buy one for a kid in Thailand or the U.S. either.

Like with any data, it's not so much what people can see when viewing it, it's what they can do with it. And Google (Facebook, Yahoo, Apple and all the others) collect data so that they can then sell it and make money. That makes me a bit nervous - especially since these activities continue to be largely unregulated. I have the ability to pull full credit reports on people. But unless I get their permission, it is highly illegal for me to do so. But if I'm Google (Facebook, Yahoo, Apple, etc.), I can get that same basic information without you even knowing... and it's legal?! That's not right.

 

[Will E Worm]

The NWO continues to grow...

Unfortunately.

So? What are you doing on your computer that you don't want google to see? Who cares?

They don't have the right and giving up your freedom for the illusion of safety is idiotic.

Also, it is off the net, not on Google.

Well, to be honest, I'd rather that Sergey's cousins in Russia not be able to use this "feature" to access my financial transactions. I try to be a giver around the holidays. But (unknowingly) buying a 65 inch plasma on my credit card for a pimply faced Russian kid ain't my idea of being generous. I have nothing against Russians. I wouldn't buy one for a kid in Thailand or the U.S. either.

Like with any data, it's not so much what people can see when viewing it, it's what they can do with it. And Google (Facebook, Yahoo, Apple and all the others) collect data so that they can then sell it and make money. That makes me a bit nervous - especially since these activities continue to be largely unregulated. I have the ability to pull full credit reports on people. But unless I get their permission, it is highly illegal for me to do so. But if I'm Google (Facebook, Yahoo, Apple, etc.), I can get that same basic information without you even knowing... and it's legal?! That's not right.

:yesyes:

 

[lurkingdirk]

Well, to be honest, I'd rather that Sergey's cousins in Russia not be able to use this "feature" to access my financial transactions. I try to be a giver around the holidays. But (unknowingly) buying a 65 inch plasma on my credit card for a pimply faced Russian kid ain't my idea of being generous. I have nothing against Russians. I wouldn't buy one for a kid in Thailand or the U.S. either.

Like with any data, it's not so much what people can see when viewing it, it's what they can do with it. And Google (Facebook, Yahoo, Apple and all the others) collect data so that they can then sell it and make money. That makes me a bit nervous - especially since these activities continue to be largely unregulated. I have the ability to pull full credit reports on people. But unless I get their permission, it is highly illegal for me to do so. But if I'm Google (Facebook, Yahoo, Apple, etc.), I can get that same basic information without you even knowing... and it's legal?! That's not right.

Will, you should take note. This is an example of a good response to someone with an opinion that differs from yours. What you posted in response was merely what is expected of you. It has to be disappointing, being so predictable.

Good post, start to end. I had not really considered the larger ramifications, and while I'm still not against people knowing what I'm doing, the idea that more sensitive information can be obtained is alarming. What's next? Personally, I do huge amounts of banking/purchasing/selling/business online, and have never once had any issue with anything. I tend to stick to sites like PayPal, who are pretty stellar at security.