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You are implying friends list is the main factor here. Let's assume you are right. Still, Google may have a database for people you might know, you just don't k

You are implying friends list is the main factor here. Let's assume you are right. Still, Google may have a database for people you might know, you just don't know its existence yet. They don't have to let you input your contacts voluntarily to find out about your relationships. For example, have you used Google Maps? You search a place, Google tells you popular time of that place, how did they get the data? If they are able to do things like that, they might also be able to know who (or which Google account) you spend time with and where, they just don't have reasons to tell you they have the data or they have deep learned the data for various purposes. We just don't have a whistleblower to testify that they sell the data yet, possibly because they have strict internal confidentiality policies.[1] Disclaimer, about that Google Maps example, it's just my assumption, I don't know how it actually works. [1]: https://www.theinformation.com/articles/employee-lawsuit-accuses-google-of-spying-program https://www.theinformation.com/articles/employee-lawsuit-acc...

skybrian 9y ago
So you're saying they have lots of personal data (nobody is disputing this). If they have the data, and they let someone else have access to it, it could leak. Which, sure, makes sense. But that's not the same as "know[ing] Google does the same thing" unless you define either "know" or "the same thing" very loosely.
- 4684499 9y ago
  You are right. Basically what I'm trying to say is they could do the same thing regardless whether they have your friends lists or not. Indeed, I don't know if Google does the same thing.
skosch 9y ago
If you have Google Maps running on your phone with data and GPS on, the app will explicitly ask you about your experience in whatever place you're visiting at that moment. I have friends who enthusiastically respond to those notifications every time, arguing that the information will help other users. More people than you think are happy to share more than passive metadata.
- 4684499 9y ago
  > More people than you think are happy to share more than passive metadata. I'm aware of that. I used to be like your friends because I love technology. Though I didn't know it's an opt-in since I haven't seen those notifications. Maybe I missed it? Even so, how do I make sure the data is not going to be misused? I practically not be able to do anything that I think I can to prevent data misuse. They collect my data even after I said no.[1] Plus, those so-called passive metadata are more objective and valuable than the data you actively submit to them, don't you think? I can hardly fake these kinds of data, just like you don't ask what lab rats think, you run tests on them and then just observe how they are gonna react. Giving away those data with good intentions doesn't necessarily mean it won't harm others in some other way. I have things to hide, especially with data companies thriving. [1]: https://qz.com/1131515/google-collects-android-users-locations-even-when-location-services-are-disabled/ https://qz.com/1131515/google-collects-android-users-locatio... Edit: In fact, believe it or not, I hate to point the Popular Time issue out. I was afraid of Google supporters' hostile attitudes against me or Google might consider this feature could heat up privacy concerns then kill it. (Very unlikely, because I'm nobody. :D) I find this feature is thoughtful and useful, I'm too selfish to watch it die. Besides, killing it doesn't do any good to the public, on the contrary, it will become less transparent how they are going to use user's data. I brought up this issue only because, with this whole FB scandal thing happening, I feel the public is playing favorites.
  - skybrian 9y ago
    "To determine popular times, wait times, and visit duration, Google uses aggregated and anonymized data from users who have opted in to Google Location History." [1] "Location History and Location Reporting data may be used by any Google app or service." [2] It looks like you can turn it on or off, and delete your location history. I don't see a way to use Location History without having it also be anonymously used for traffic and other stuff. [3] I've turned it off on my phone to see what happens. Occasionally I'll run across a permission dialog to turn it on. [1] https://support.google.com/business/answer/6263531?hl=en https://support.google.com/business/answer/6263531?hl=en [2] https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/example/may-collect-and-process-information.html https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/example/may-collect-... [3] https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3118687?hl=en https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3118687?hl=en

skybrian 9y ago

So you're saying they have lots of personal data (nobody is disputing this). If they have the data, and they let someone else have access to it, it could leak. Which, sure, makes sense. But that's not the same as "know[ing] Google does the same thing" unless you define either "know" or "the same thing" very loosely.

4684499 9y ago
You are right. Basically what I'm trying to say is they could do the same thing regardless whether they have your friends lists or not. Indeed, I don't know if Google does the same thing.

skosch 9y ago

If you have Google Maps running on your phone with data and GPS on, the app will explicitly ask you about your experience in whatever place you're visiting at that moment. I have friends who enthusiastically respond to those notifications every time, arguing that the information will help other users. More people than you think are happy to share more than passive metadata.

4684499 9y ago
> More people than you think are happy to share more than passive metadata. I'm aware of that. I used to be like your friends because I love technology. Though I didn't know it's an opt-in since I haven't seen those notifications. Maybe I missed it? Even so, how do I make sure the data is not going to be misused? I practically not be able to do anything that I think I can to prevent data misuse. They collect my data even after I said no.[1] Plus, those so-called passive metadata are more objective and valuable than the data you actively submit to them, don't you think? I can hardly fake these kinds of data, just like you don't ask what lab rats think, you run tests on them and then just observe how they are gonna react. Giving away those data with good intentions doesn't necessarily mean it won't harm others in some other way. I have things to hide, especially with data companies thriving. [1]: https://qz.com/1131515/google-collects-android-users-locations-even-when-location-services-are-disabled/ https://qz.com/1131515/google-collects-android-users-locatio... Edit: In fact, believe it or not, I hate to point the Popular Time issue out. I was afraid of Google supporters' hostile attitudes against me or Google might consider this feature could heat up privacy concerns then kill it. (Very unlikely, because I'm nobody. :D) I find this feature is thoughtful and useful, I'm too selfish to watch it die. Besides, killing it doesn't do any good to the public, on the contrary, it will become less transparent how they are going to use user's data. I brought up this issue only because, with this whole FB scandal thing happening, I feel the public is playing favorites.
- skybrian 9y ago
  "To determine popular times, wait times, and visit duration, Google uses aggregated and anonymized data from users who have opted in to Google Location History." [1] "Location History and Location Reporting data may be used by any Google app or service." [2] It looks like you can turn it on or off, and delete your location history. I don't see a way to use Location History without having it also be anonymously used for traffic and other stuff. [3] I've turned it off on my phone to see what happens. Occasionally I'll run across a permission dialog to turn it on. [1] https://support.google.com/business/answer/6263531?hl=en https://support.google.com/business/answer/6263531?hl=en [2] https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/example/may-collect-and-process-information.html https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/example/may-collect-... [3] https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3118687?hl=en https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3118687?hl=en