Do a Google search of the words “Google” and “evil” and you’ll find pages of results–everything from a Mother Jones article to Google’s own philosophy and the Google Watch web site. It’s enough to make you wonder… should I be afraid of Google?
Don’t get me wrong… I have lots of fun with Google searching for information, searching for people, or searching for research. I have even enjoyed doing Google searches on myself and friends, just curious about what pops up.
But looking closer, I can see why some people are concerned. Search for me on Google and you’ll find other people with the same name, but you’ll also find my former television work as a reporter, my work phone number, my LinkedIn profile, and my writing. Look for my house on Google maps and I’m lucky enough that you can’t zoom in too close and the map actually is a few houses off… whew!
But, it is intimidating that I can be found so easily on the Web. In the right hands, it is helpful information, but in the wrong hands, it could be disastrous. Add in that Google knows what I’m searching for, what I’m doing, and even has a record of my Gmail account. Is this too much information in the hands of one company? And what will Google do with all this information?
I guess time will bear this out, but it is some cause for worry. I don’t want my search history going to the government or someone who may one day take me to court. There should be some assumption of privacy as to what sites I’m visiting, what knowledge I’m gathering, and what friends are sending me through email.
For now, I am not afraid of Google. Call me naive, but I consider myself a normal, well-adjusted, good intentioned person so Google has no reason to “sell me out.” One day I may regret these words, but I sure hope not…
So for now, I will continue to Google… I hope Google will prove me right.
