When Ask.com launched AskEraser, a new service which promises to protect user privacy by, upon request, deleting users’ search activity from Ask.com servers, I applauded the effort, but also pointed out some of its shortcomings. The privacy advocacy group EPIC,…
Category: Search Engines
Google-DoubleClick Deal Cleared by the FTC
Despite complaints by leading privacy advocates, the long history of privacy concerns related to DoubleClick, explanations as to why privacy must be considered part of the anti-trust concerns, and concerns about possible links between the FTC commissioner and DoubleClick, the…
Google Knol: Wikipedia with a Splash of Advertising and a Twist of Web 2.0
Google has just announced Knol (as in a unit of knowledge) that will encourage people who are knowledgeable about a particular subject to write an authoritative article about it. It seems Google wants knols to replace the Wikipedia results that…
Read More Google Knol: Wikipedia with a Splash of Advertising and a Twist of Web 2.0
AskEraser Launched, but Incomplete Protection
As previously discussed, Ask.com has launched AskEraser, a new service which promises to protect user privacy by, upon request, deleting users' search activity from Ask.com servers. Ask has put together quite an extensive help page explaining the details of AskEraser,…
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…
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Dear Facebook, Google: Please Engage in Value-Conscious Design
Much of my research strives to extend my broader social, political, and ethical explorations of information and communication technologies beyond the halls of academia and into “real-world” design contexts to pragmatically engage with designers and advocate for the value-conscious design…
Read More Dear Facebook, Google: Please Engage in Value-Conscious Design
Google Discloses Blogger’s IP Address (No Subpoena Required)
In more chilling news, it has been reported that Google reached a settlement with a group of Israeli council members and will voluntarily turn over the IP address of a blogger accused of slander to a court overseeing the case.…
Read More Google Discloses Blogger’s IP Address (No Subpoena Required)
(Introducing?) Web Search Studies
I just completed (late) a chapter contribution for the forthcoming International Handbook of Internet Research. My task was to write a review of search engine research, combined with directions for future work. While the lit review in my dissertation provided…
Link Dump – November 1, 2007
Blogging has been light due to other duties, but I wanted to point out a few notable items that deserve attention: Twitter appears to be planning to expand the search offerings, allowing users to search for particular terms within others'…
AoIR: Search 2.0: Web 2.0, Personal Information Flows, and the Drive for the Perfect Search Engine
Following up on my Web 2.0 panel at 4S, I just returned from another quick trip to Canada -- this time Vancouver -- for the annual conference of the Association of Internet Researchers, where I organized a similar panel titled…
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