How paranoid are you of Google?

[hismikeness]

Google... if you're reading this, I would like an add targeted to me for free stuff only. Thanks!

[Recusant]

Why would the people who refuse to use google  products because "they collect your information" feel any safer using other similar products?  Do they think that google is the only entity that uses that sort of model?  I think that pretty much any time one gets on the internet, there is most likely a bot of some kind casually noting online behavior, and compiling it for the use of some organization or other.  Information is power, and no organization which has the ability to gather information is going to pass it up.  Sure, you can tick boxes which say "I don't want information about me to be gathered," but I'm dubious about how effective that is.  If you're really paranoid, you would only use computers at internet cafes, and never the same one twice.  Just avoiding google whenever possible isn't going to do much, in my opinion.

[Heretical Rants]

If you're really paranoid, you would only use computers at internet cafes, and never the same one twice.

...and change your email address every month, provide fake information for everything, etc.

You can compromise on that last point.
For example, I have a facebook account, but the last name on it is only vaguely similar to my real last name, and I've never even been to the places it says I'm from.

Facebook is far more evil than Google, anyways.

[LegendarySandwich]

The way I see it, maintaining privacy over the Internet is getting harder and harder. There are only really four options:

1. Don't use the Internet (pretty much a nonexistent option, nowadays)
2. Be a paranoid privacy nut (may even be harder to do than opting not to use the Internet)
3. Accept that you can never have true privacy on the Internet, and continue to use it, while practicing safe browsing habits and using common sense when it comes to your private information.
4. Not care.

I choose to go with the third.

[Velma]

The way I see it, maintaining privacy over the Internet is getting harder and harder. There are only really four options:

1. Don't use the Internet (pretty much a nonexistent option, nowadays)
2. Be a paranoid privacy nut (may even be harder to do than opting not to use the Internet)
3. Accept that you can never have true privacy on the Internet, and continue to use it, while practicing safe browsing habits and using common sense when it comes to your private information.
4. Not care.

I choose to go with the third.

Same here.  With a little caution and care, you can be safe and maintain your privacy while online.

[hismikeness]

Facebook is far more evil than , anyways.

That's not saying much. I guess that's my question... what is it, exactly, that google does that is evil? To me, the using of information only for advertising is benign. Are you suggesting they are using the information otherwise? For what purpose? What is it that Facebook is more evil than?

[Recusant]

Facebook is far more evil than , anyways.

That's not saying much. I guess that's my question... what is it, exactly, that google does that is evil?

Dude, the thought control waves have obviously gotten to you!  For your own safety and self protection, my advice is to get one of these:

 [spoiler:1g7st9ag][/spoiler:1g7st9ag]

[Davin]

Facebook is far more evil than , anyways.

That's not saying much. I guess that's my question... what is it, exactly, that google does that is evil?

Dude, the thought control waves have obviously gotten to you!  For your own safety and self protection, my advice is to get one of these:

 [spoiler:1xi8gn4p][/spoiler:1xi8gn4p]

Get a Glenn Beck or a tinfoil hat? I guess it doesn't matter as relying on either is probably a sign of insanity.

[Asmodean]

The way I see it, maintaining privacy over the Internet is getting harder and harder. There are only really four options:

1. Don't use the Internet (pretty much a nonexistent option, nowadays)
2. Be a paranoid privacy nut (may even be harder to do than opting not to use the Internet)
3. Accept that you can never have true privacy on the Internet, and continue to use it, while practicing safe browsing habits and using common sense when it comes to your private information.
4. Not care.

I choose to go with the third.

5. Cheat. Appear as someone else while online.

[LegendarySandwich]

The way I see it, maintaining privacy over the Internet is getting harder and harder. There are only really four options:

1. Don't use the Internet (pretty much a nonexistent option, nowadays)
2. Be a paranoid privacy nut (may even be harder to do than opting not to use the Internet)
3. Accept that you can never have true privacy on the Internet, and continue to use it, while practicing safe browsing habits and using common sense when it comes to your private information.
4. Not care.

I choose to go with the third.

5. Cheat. Appear as someone else while online.

I would list that sort of behavior under number 2.

[The Magic Pudding]

The Firefox Noscript add-on blocks some Goggle stuff.

I sometimes wonder if I'm getting Fred Fish into trouble.
Does the resident of 2 Big Street Smalltown receive an unusual amount of unsolicited mail?
Do random phone numbers receive calls looking for Fred Fish?

[terranus]

:|

It doesn't matter. Big brother already knows everything about you anyway. There's no sense in hiding anything anymore.