Google copies your hard drive

[Kat Kanning]

http://www.eff.org/news/archives/2006_02.php#004400

February 09, 2006
Google Copies Your Hard Drive - Government Smiles in Anticipation

Consumers Should Not Use New Google Desktop

San Francisco - Google today announced a new "feature" of its Google Desktop software that greatly increases the risk to consumer privacy. If a consumer chooses to use it, the new "Search Across Computers" feature will store copies of the user's Word documents, PDFs, spreadsheets and other text-based documents on Google's own servers, to enable searching from any one of the user's computers. EFF urges consumers not to use this feature, because it will make their personal data more vulnerable to subpoenas from the government and possibly private litigants, while providing a convenient one-stop-shop for hackers who've obtained a user's Google password.

"Coming on the heels of serious consumer concern about government snooping into Google's search logs, it's shocking that Google expects its users to now trust it with the contents of their personal computers," said EFF Staff Attorney Kevin Bankston. "If you use the Search Across Computers feature and don't configure Google Desktop very carefully?and most people won't?Google will have copies of your tax returns, love letters, business records, financial and medical files, and whatever other text-based documents the Desktop software can index. The government could then demand these personal files with only a subpoena rather than the search warrant it would need to seize the same things from your home or business, and in many cases you wouldn't even be notified in time to challenge it. Other litigants?your spouse, your business partners or rivals, whoever?could also try to cut out the middleman (you) and subpoena Google for your files."

The privacy problem arises because the Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986, or ECPA, gives only limited privacy protection to emails and other files that are stored with online service providers?much less privacy than the legal protections for the same information when it's on your computer at home. And even that lower level of legal protection could disappear if Google uses your data for marketing purposes. Google says it is not yet scanning the files it copies from your hard drive in order to serve targeted advertising, but it hasn't ruled out the possibility, and Google's current privacy policy appears to allow it.

"This Google product highlights a key privacy problem in the digital age," said Cindy Cohn, EFF's Legal Director. "Many Internet innovations involve storing personal files on a service provider's computer, but under outdated laws, consumers who want to use these new technologies have to surrender their privacy rights. If Google wants consumers to trust it to store copies of personal computer files, emails, search histories and chat logs, and still 'not be evil,' it should stand with EFF and demand that Congress update the privacy laws to better reflect life in the wired world."

[BaRbArIaN]

You know, despite this there are people out there who really don't care until it bites them in the ass.

[KBCraig]

Apple's .Mac service provides something similar, but you have to manually choose to back something up. You also have the option of storing it in your iDisk space (on their servers), or to local drives.

Since your iDisk space is your own dedicated space that you pay for, I don't know if the same concerns apply.

Kevin

[aries]

Google zealots bother me as much as any other zealots (except freedom zealots).

I know folks who install everything google makes on their computers, and even attempt to use it all when they really don't need to... just because Google makes it.

I have 1 google program - gmail notifier, and I use gmail for my non-"secret" emails. I use PGP encrypted hushmail (a good webmail service, but just 2MB storage) for the rest.

When you fork over your rational mind to a company like Google, you're bound to be screwed at some point down the line.
I prefer to mix and match my software, I use programs that benefit me most. For instance I hate Firefox (memory leakage, poor interface), I'd rather use IE. But I use Opera because like libertarianism I think it's the BEST out there.

[estoves]

You have to activate that feature by yourselfe after you have installed Google desctop and there are warnings about it.
Google desktop is a great program but i would never use that feature.

[Eli]

I have a simpler solution  I don't keep secret info on my computer.

[CNHT]

Apple's .Mac service provides something similar, but you have to manually choose to back something up. You also have the option of storing it in your iDisk space (on their servers), or to local drives.

Since your iDisk space is your own dedicated space that you pay for, I don't know if the same concerns apply.

Kevin

Naw this is different. Apple just provides server space like the one you just bought. What you upload is your business. .Mac does NOT spider your drive. It will backup your iCal, Address Book, Bookmarks, etc for you, but I do this by simply copying one file out and putting it elsewhere for each of those items. Very simple but non geeks don't know how to do it, thus they can sell a service like .Mac

Google however, spiders your desktop for remote access. Now THAT is troublesome. I access my machines remotely, but only I can do it, no one else.

Any more questions?   

[Eli]

Jane,

   Only you can do it?  Jane we both know that's not true.  The only safe computer is an empty computer.  If it is connected it is vulnerable.  Especially to evil folks with near infinite resources.

-Eli

[CNHT]

Jane,

   Only you can do it?  Jane we both know that's not true.  The only safe computer is an empty computer.  If it is connected it is vulnerable.  Especially to evil folks with near infinite resources.

-Eli

There have been contests with big prize money and so far no winners. I don't use windows, you see.