Welcome to the archived messages from In The 00s. This archive stretches back to 1998 in some instances, and contains a nearly complete record of all the messages posted to inthe00s.com. You will also find an archive of the messages from inthe70s.com, inthe80s.com, inthe90s.com and amiright.com before they were combined to form the inthe00s.com messageboard.
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Subject: Google As Big Brother.
I got this URL off a security bbs I visit. I'm not sure what to make of it:
http://www.google-watch.org/bigbro.html
Subject: Re: Google As Big Brother.
Quoting:
I got this URL off a security bbs I visit. I'm not sure what to make of it:
http://www.google-watch.org/bigbro.html
End Quote
Most of it is a bunch of hooey. They complain because Google keeps track of every search request, saving the search terms, IP address, and cookie ID.
What is wrong with that? When you do a search on Google, you are using THEIR computer equipment, and THEIR network to generate your results. So they keep records of how their netowrk is accessed, and by who. Very similar to a Register at the local Motel 6.
Are these records subject to subpoena? Yes, just like the regster at the Motel 6.
Would these people complain if you kept your own log of who visited your home and when? Unlikely.
Now, cookies can be annoying. If you do not like them you can delete them at every session, which is what I do as a general matter of practice. But I can not complain about cookies because I get them only by accessing somebody else's computer assets.
Subject: Re: Google As Big Brother.
This is the type of thing I love to laugh at.
The Google cookie is like 80% of cookies, harmless. All it does is tell the engine where you are, so it can target some of the search to where you are. For example, if you put in a search of "Car Wash", it would send responses to you that might actually be close to where you are, as opposed to being in Bangladesh (unless you put in "Bangladesh Car Wash").
As far as hiring NSA people, why not? They are experts in programming, compression, and search algorythms. This is the meat and bones of any search engine, database, or other large information gathering operation.
As far as the toolbar being spyware, so what? Nobody makes you install it. Myself, I never install ANY toolbars. I just wish the people would go after some REAL internet villans, like Gator, HotBar, Comet Cursor, or some other companies like that.
Plain and simple, if you do not like Google, don't use it. If you don't want to be in it's search engine, put the "noarchive" in your default web page template. I see this as much ado about nothing.
Subject: Re: Google As Big Brother.
Looks to me like the person that made that site has too much time on his hands.
I do wonder why the person targeted Google. Why not MSN, Yahoo, Altavista, etc etc...considering they all work on the same principle. I think its common knowledge (or it should be), that everytime you connect to the internet, you are leaving virtual "footprints" behind wherever you go. Not just with Google, but everywhere.
Every site you visit, every search you make, every email you send, everything is kept on record somewhere. Not just Google. ::)
Subject: Re: Google As Big Brother.
OK, I got it now. This person is a kook! Here are a few of the quotes from the site:
***
I have documents from the CIA that prove they spied on me illegally in the late 1960s
The CIA memorializes 71 who died in the line of duty since it was founded over 50 years ago. According to the Department of Labor, mine fatalities averaged 92 per year during the 1990s. Total miners number 557,000, and total full-time CIA run about 22,000, which when factored in, means miners are three times more likely to get killed on the job. Moreover, CIA employees can resign and find another job, but miners don't always have this option. The other thing that miners lack is a propaganda network of gullible journalists and script writers, who constantly depict CIA people as risking their lives to save the world.
Matt Cutts, a software engineer at Google since January 2000, used to work for the National Security Agency and has a top-secret clearance. Google would like to hire more like him. Can you trust Google with a database of all the search terms you've ever used?
Two days ago, a story was dispatched by the Associated Press that described my problem with the CIA's use of cookies. Fortunately, federal guidelines are in place that forced the CIA to acknowledge my concerns and take immediate action. This sort of accountability does not exist with respect to Google's use of cookies, but the issues are the same, and the dangers are potentially even greater with Google.
***
Obviously this kook has the CIA breathing down his back, so that is why he is attacking Google. I guess they are making it easier for the CIA to find him. :P
I find it interesting that this piece of coprolite site has a donations page! I kid you not, the person who made it wants you to send money!
Subject: Re: Google As Big Brother.
Sounds like a phony site set up by a third party trying to lure people away from other places (Google in this case) >:(
Subject: Re: Google As Big Brother.
My only complaint with Google is that in the past couple of months, when submitting a search I get TONS of commercial sites that I never used to get in the past. I was doing an assignment about a month ago and it was really difficult (than usual) sifting thru all the commercial crap. I've heard from other users that commented on the same thing.
But I don't recommend people use the Google Tool Bar spyware program.