[bp001]

Agree that (b) is almost certain.

Google had the decision to jump-start their social network in a big way at a cost of annoying maybe 1 in 100 gmail users who are conscious about this sort of thing. Seems like an obvious decision to a for-profit company.

It raises questions in my mind about what data I am providing to Google and what unforeseen ways they may decide to use that data at some future point.

[fnid2]

What if Google just starts buying stuff for you and having it shipped to your house. You can opt-out once it arrives -- if you can figure out the RMA process...