Does Google own us?

I am addicted to Google.

I turn to it first for everything to be searched for. I may have to go elsewhere eventually, but most often Google gets what I need within the first page or two.

But sometimes I have noticed a fleeting message in my browser bar when the 'Net is busy -- "Waiting for analytics.google.com" -- which disappears as the page loads up.

That is Google gathering and storing information about what its users are up to.

Innocent? Maybe.

But now that Google is looking to buy the largest online advertising business -- Doubleclick -- in a $3.1B deal, questions are being asked.

Turns out Google keeps the information longer, and in more detail, than may make you comfortable.

The New York Times reports both in its blogs and via an AP story that Microsoft and Yahoo! are tweaking their data retention policies -- partly as a result of the scrutiny the Google deal has brought and partly as a competitive countertactic.

But technology industry magazine eWEEK set things up recently by questioning in detail just what it is that Google is so interested in keeping.

And why.

And why you should worry.

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Resources --

• eWEEK: "Is it OK for Google to Own Us?"
  
• NY Times - "Microsoft Offers Privacy Options"| "Microsoft, Yahoo Tweak Privacy Policies"

-- Dan Damon

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