"Clearly, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft should opt you out [of tracking cookies] by default." "They must be regulated and restrained by law so we can sleep at ea

"Clearly, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft should opt you out [of tracking cookies] by default." "They must be regulated and restrained by law so we can sleep at ease even though we know we cannot trust them." Tracking cookies don't strike me as much of a problem. All the author says is that Google tracks us on the internet. So what? "Search engines like those of Google, Yahoo and Microsoft can provide the companies that own and manage them with detailed information about many aspects of our lives, including our intimate, personal lives." He doesn't elaborate on this point. What data about my personal life do tracking cookies give those companies? Oh no, Google knows how much I futilely try to disprove Rule 34. Google does have my email and calendar, which could be a problem, but I'm more afraid of the government subpoenaing or PATRIOT Act-ing my data than Google misusing it, and the government can get it no matter who has it. In fact, Google's sheer size increases the financial incentive they have to not misuse my data. Their reputation is incredibly valuable.