Michael Zimmer.org

information ethics : privacy : new media : values in design : 2.0

New Google Toolbar Makes Logging User Data Even Easier

Google has launched a new (Internet Explorer) version of the Google Toolbar (with the now-obligatory YouTube video). A key change in this version is the ability to save all your Google settings online, and then log into toolbar on remote computers to “get all of your bookmarks, custom buttons and AutoFill information from your different computers.”

It’s not too hard to see that this also is a wonderful strategy to ensure users log into their Google Accounts no matter what random computer they might be using, making it easier for Google to associate one’s activity to one’s account. For good commentary, see Fred Stutzman’s post.


Related posts: (automatically generated)

  1. Dan Gillmor: Google’s Toolbar Keeps Invasive Autolink
  2. Is Google Logging Your Text Messages?
  3. Google wants to “Store 100% of User Data”
  4. Google’s Unsatisfying Explanation for Retaining User Search Data
  5. Google to Support User Data Portability?
  6. Google to Give User Data To Brazilian Authorities

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