[xiaq]

The privacy game is about power, not about who is doing what right now. People shun Google's data collection because of what Google can do with the data, not what it has done or is doing; it only takes a single case of data misuse to reveal the power dynamics even if nothing has happened to them personally.

You don't have to play the privacy game -- there is a lot of space between really respecting user's privacy and breaking privacy laws. But if you do, you should put the power back in the user's hand.

(Disclaimer: I work for Google.)

[kerng]

There have been countless cases for me personally where Googles tracking is creepy. Like Google Map recommendations, YouTube videos I should watch, misleading ads that send the user to malware bases on interest Google has about them etc, as well as exposure of unauthenticated Google+ APIs that allowed access to sensitive data to name a few.

I think saying nothing bad has happened is disingenuous. As soon as Google gets similar exposure as FB right now, internal whistleblowers might come forward also with more stories.

Also, couple of years ago Google was thoroughly compromised by at least one foreign government, ever wonder how much data was stolen?

[lioeters]

Thank you for that comment. It means a lot that such a thoughtful consideration of privacy is coming from someone working at Google, there is hope yet for a humane approach to analytics and data collection.

[la_barba]

I think it is fair to know exactly what data I'm giving up and what Google is doing with it, if I chose to exchange it for free services and goods. Hopefully someone with a spine comes to power and enacts some regulation allowing users to have a much clearer understanding of this. Also, people dislike Google for many things it has already done, not just because of an imagined future problem. Also.... nothing personal against you!

[harianus]

https://twitter.com/randfish/status/1126892446925848578?s=21