• Deceptive Business Practices by Google?

    Deceptive Business Practices by Google?

    Techtree News Staff, Mar 19, 2009 1728 hrs IST

    EPIC asks FTC to investigate

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Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) says that Google's "inadequate security practices" and the resultant Google Docs data breach caused substantial injury to consumers, without any countervailing benefits. This Google Docs data breach took place on March 7, when Google disclosed user-generated documents saved on its Google Docs Cloud Computing Service to users of the service who lacked permission to view the files, EPIC added.

Requesting relief after Google's allegedly inadequate safeguarding of the confidential information that it obtains, EPIC has petitioned the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to open an investigation into Google's Cloud Computing Services. It says that this will determine the adequacy of the privacy and security safeguards in place and assess the representations made by the firm regarding these services. It will also help to determine whether Google has engaged in unfair and/or deceptive trade practices, and to take any such measures as are necessary, including to enjoin Google from offering such services until safeguards are verifiably established.

The research organization further goes on to say that Google's Terms of Service explicitly disallow any warranty or any liability for harm that might result from Google's negligence, recklessness, mal-intent, or even purposeful disregard of existing legal obligations to protect the privacy and security of user data.

As a relief for all this "recklessness," EPIC had a few suggestions:

  • Steps that will require Google to revise its Terms of Service with respect to Cloud Computing Services, including but not limited to Gmail, Google Docs, Google Desktop, Picasa, and Google Calendar, so as to make clear the company's ongoing, affirmative obligations to safeguard the security and privacy of the data that it obtains.
  • Compel Google to make its information security policies more transparent, and to disclose all incidents of data loss or data breach to the Federal Trade Commission.
  • Enjoin Google from offering Cloud Computing Services until safeguards are verifiably established.
  • Compel Google to contribute $5,000,0000 (255 crores 75 lakhs approx.) to a public fund that will help support research concerning privacy enhancing technologies, including encryption, effective data anonymization, and mobile location privacy.


After reading the frequent media reports about Google's negligence in protecting the privacy and security of user data, would you still trust the Internet giant with the safekeeping of your valuable documents?

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Discussion Board
(2) Comments
Anant Bhushan
,Roorkee, on Mar 19, 2009 09:47 PM
I wont say that everything is right with Google, But they seem to be the best thats around at least, they provide the level of service for free to millions for which the likes of Microsoft would love to charge billions for. Google has become a part of our lives not because it has made great promises to us. But by the level of services that it has provided. Who reads the agreements anyways before installing a freeware or using a free service(Except for people at places like EPIC). Yes they do need to work on certain issues, but surely putting money into government funded research is not the way to go, the Google philosophy and OSS can take care of itself.
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Aaron
,Chicago, IL, USA, on Mar 19, 2009 08:50 PM
So... don't put anything important there. You'd be foolish to do so, if you aren't paying good money for security.
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