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From a privacy point of view, Google was already perfectly able to connect the dots of what all its users did on its services long before Plus: single sign-on w

From a privacy point of view, Google was already perfectly able to connect the dots of what all its users did on its services long before Plus: single sign-on was perfectly sufficient to do that. Having plus doesn't make it any easier or more difficult. So, technically, Google could already have collected all those data and sold them to the advertisers before plus. What I hope that Google will guarantee, related to G+, is a complete control over which of those dots can become public; if G+ is an identity service (whatever that might mean) I want to have control over what I show of my identity and to whom. Something where I'm willing to cut some more slack to Google than to Facebook, given their track records, but not so much more.

jamesbritt 15y ago
* Something where I'm willing to cut some more slack to Google than to Facebook, given their track records, but not so much more.* I'm on the fence about that. So far I've given Google the benefit of the doubt. But it's quite plausible the evil bit will flip, so prudence tells me to start now weaning off Google services and diversify.
joe_the_user 15y ago
I was willing to cut Google slack than other companies. But they exhausted that slack supply when they cut-off their own ex-employees for using well-established pseudonyms. The concept of an "identity server" is unacceptable for any idea of freedom. I might hate the US government but I do hypothetically have some democratic rights in exchange for the DMV being the current "identity server" in this region. For any private entity to say "you must give me your stuff and I hope to keep it secret" without me having any leverage over them is ... (excuse my repeating)... unacceptable.
- fl3tch 15y ago
  The DMV database is not publicly searchable by the whole world. That's an important distinction. Remember those dystopian visions of the future where microchips would be inserted under people's skin so they could be tracked? That future is here, no forced microchipping required. People are volunteering for it in droves as they buy smart phones (and use social networks). I don't understand why people get so upset over things like National ID cards, and then turn right around and give all their private info to Google and Facebook. You already have a national ID number. Several, actually. They are your cell phone number, your Facebook account number, and your Gmail address, among others.
  - jackpirate 15y ago
    I don't understand why people get so upset over things like National ID cards, and then turn right around and give all their private info to Google and Facebook. I don't think those are the same people. The internet is a big place, after all...
    - electromagnetic 15y ago
      Given the population sizes on Google and Facebook, and the sheer number of people in the UK who have been objecting the National ID card schemes, then a very significant portion of the latter's population is on social media.
  - wladimir 15y ago
    You already have a national ID number. Several, actually. They are your cell phone number, your Facebook account number, and your Gmail address, among others They are 'numbers' that identify someone, that's for sure. But there is still a big difference with national ID numbers, as you can request multiple, share them between people, delete them, etc... Even though loads of data are collected it still offers some freedom.

jamesbritt 15y ago

* Something where I'm willing to cut some more slack to Google than to Facebook, given their track records, but not so much more.* I'm on the fence about that. So far I've given Google the benefit of the doubt. But it's quite plausible the evil bit will flip, so prudence tells me to start now weaning off Google services and diversify.

joe_the_user 15y ago

I was willing to cut Google slack than other companies. But they exhausted that slack supply when they cut-off their own ex-employees for using well-established pseudonyms. The concept of an "identity server" is unacceptable for any idea of freedom. I might hate the US government but I do hypothetically have some democratic rights in exchange for the DMV being the current "identity server" in this region. For any private entity to say "you must give me your stuff and I hope to keep it secret" without me having any leverage over them is ... (excuse my repeating)... unacceptable.

fl3tch 15y ago
The DMV database is not publicly searchable by the whole world. That's an important distinction. Remember those dystopian visions of the future where microchips would be inserted under people's skin so they could be tracked? That future is here, no forced microchipping required. People are volunteering for it in droves as they buy smart phones (and use social networks). I don't understand why people get so upset over things like National ID cards, and then turn right around and give all their private info to Google and Facebook. You already have a national ID number. Several, actually. They are your cell phone number, your Facebook account number, and your Gmail address, among others.
- jackpirate 15y ago
  I don't understand why people get so upset over things like National ID cards, and then turn right around and give all their private info to Google and Facebook. I don't think those are the same people. The internet is a big place, after all...
  - electromagnetic 15y ago
    Given the population sizes on Google and Facebook, and the sheer number of people in the UK who have been objecting the National ID card schemes, then a very significant portion of the latter's population is on social media.
- wladimir 15y ago
  You already have a national ID number. Several, actually. They are your cell phone number, your Facebook account number, and your Gmail address, among others They are 'numbers' that identify someone, that's for sure. But there is still a big difference with national ID numbers, as you can request multiple, share them between people, delete them, etc... Even though loads of data are collected it still offers some freedom.