5 ms·

You're probably not a target and Google is not the NSA. I don't think capitulating and voluntarily giving them your data helps.

by id 12y ago

icebraining 12y ago
If you don't want to give them your data, you mustn't use Google. Logging out is nothing more than a placebo.
- ksk 12y ago
  >If you don't want to give them your data, you mustn't use Google. That is not sufficient. Recipients of your emails must also not use any Google services (also recipients of their emails etc).
- id 12y ago
  Not using Google is probably the best solution. If you still have to use it for whatever reason, don't give them all your data. The only thing you really have to give them is your search term.
  - icebraining 12y ago
    Lack of data is also data. How many people do you think send absolutely empty requests? It probably makes you extremely unique.
WorldWideWayne 12y ago
Of course there is no proof, but could we agree that Google would make an exceedingly useful front-office for the NSA?
anigbrowl 12y ago
I get utility in return, ie Google's ability to provide better results based on previous context.
- normloman 12y ago
  I wouldn't call them better results. I for one don't find "the filter bubble" desirable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter_bubble https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter_bubble
  - anigbrowl 12y ago
    Concerns about this seem overblown to me. I get regular comparisons as I have a tablet device that's not linked to any account and also use more than one search engine or browser. I find a marked improvement in the quality of results when I'm logged in, particularly when I'm researching legal or academic topics where I'm more interested in primary sources and long-form article coverage than in (more popular) blog and mainstream news outlet coverage. The other benefit is the personal blocklist, which automatically filters away a vast range of stuff which I know to be crap.

5 ms·

You're probably not a target and Google is not the NSA. I don't think capitulating and voluntarily giving them your data helps.

by id 12y ago

You're probably not a target and Google is not the NSA. I don't think capitulating and voluntarily giving them your data helps.

icebraining 12y ago
If you don't want to give them your data, you mustn't use Google. Logging out is nothing more than a placebo.
- ksk 12y ago
  >If you don't want to give them your data, you mustn't use Google. That is not sufficient. Recipients of your emails must also not use any Google services (also recipients of their emails etc).
- id 12y ago
  Not using Google is probably the best solution. If you still have to use it for whatever reason, don't give them all your data. The only thing you really have to give them is your search term.
  - icebraining 12y ago
    Lack of data is also data. How many people do you think send absolutely empty requests? It probably makes you extremely unique.
WorldWideWayne 12y ago
Of course there is no proof, but could we agree that Google would make an exceedingly useful front-office for the NSA?
anigbrowl 12y ago
I get utility in return, ie Google's ability to provide better results based on previous context.
- normloman 12y ago
  I wouldn't call them better results. I for one don't find "the filter bubble" desirable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter_bubble https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter_bubble
  - anigbrowl 12y ago
    Concerns about this seem overblown to me. I get regular comparisons as I have a tablet device that's not linked to any account and also use more than one search engine or browser. I find a marked improvement in the quality of results when I'm logged in, particularly when I'm researching legal or academic topics where I'm more interested in primary sources and long-form article coverage than in (more popular) blog and mainstream news outlet coverage. The other benefit is the personal blocklist, which automatically filters away a vast range of stuff which I know to be crap.