Google cavalier on privacy; Firefox reacts and urges switch to Bing

[djbaxter]

Firefox Exec Rejects Google Privacy Stance, Pushes Users to Bing
By Tony Bradley, PC World
December 11, 2009

Firefox users are being urged to install the browser extension that adds the Bing search engine to Firefox. Mozilla director of community development, Asa Dotzler, made the recommendation in a blog post in response to Google CEO Eric Schmidt's recent comments on privacy.

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Google has been challenged regarding its sometimes apparent disregard for privacy on a number of occasions. Many countries have taken issue with Google's efforts to photograph neighborhoods for its Street View mapping. Most recently, Google's expansion of personalized search results has upset privacy advocates.

Recommending a switch to Bing is a bold move for Mozilla, which is engaged in a multi-year arrangement with Google that extends through 2011. The majority of Mozilla revenue is derived from Google as a function of the deal, which calls for Mozilla to set Google as the default search engine in its Firefox Web browser software.

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[djbaxter]

What is the Difference Between Google's Secrecy & Your Privacy?
by Aaron Wall, SEOBook.com
December 12, 2009

Aaron Wall is not your run of the mill conspiracy theorist. He is one of the permier experts on search engines and search engine optimization. So when he launches a clear attack on the dangers of Google's attitudes toward privacy, I think it's worth at least listening to what he has to say.

Why did Google create an operating system? So they can spy on you. Why does Google care about speed so much that they created a DNS service? It was a convenient excuse to use...so they can spy on you. Why is Google launching their own cell phone? So they can spy on you.

Why does Eric Schmidt dismiss your privacy?

• Money
• Exploiting User Flaws for Maximum Profit Potential

Think I am being hard on Google? Well if they think privacy is unimportant, then maybe they can explain why they host a PDF titled Inside the Black Box Technology and Innovation at Google.

Google workers think THEIR own privacy is crucial to their success (and WILL fire any employees who get it wrong), but think YOUR privacy is a commodity they should sell to the highest bidder.

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