Criticism of Google
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Google, as a corporation that compiles information and makes it searchable via the Internet, has received criticism regarding issues such as intellectual property, internet privacy, and censorship. Google's mission statement is "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful," [1] but the means used to accomplish this mission have been questioned. Much of the criticism of Google pertains to issues yet to be addressed by cyber law. In addition, the energy usage required for Google's servers has also been criticized.
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[edit] Copyright issues
Kazaa seven and the Church of Scientology have used the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to demand that Google remove references to allegedly copyrighted material on their sites.[2][3] Google potentially faces lawsuits when not removing such links.
The New York Times has complained that the caching of their content during a web crawl, a feature utilized by search engines including Google Web Search, violates copyright.[4] Google observes Internet standard mechanisms for requesting that caching be disabled via the robots.txt file, which is another mechanism that allows operators of a website to request that part or all of their site not be included in search engine results, or via META tags, which allow a content editor to specify whether a document can be crawled or archived, or whether the links on the document can be followed. The U.S. District Court of Nevada ruled that Google's caches do not constitute copyright infringement under American law in Field v. Google and Parker v. Google.[5][6]
On September 20, 2005, the Authors Guild, a group that represents 8,000 U.S. authors, filed a class action suit in federal court in Manhattan against Google over its unauthorized scanning and copying of books through its Google Library program. Google states that it is in compliance with all existing and historical applications of copyright laws regarding books.[7] The publicized contract between Google and the University of Michigan makes it clear that Google will provide only excerpts of copyright text in a search. The contract says that it will comply with "fair use", an exemption in copyright law that allows people to reproduce portions of text of copyrighted material for research purposes[citation needed].
On July 14, 2008, Viacom compromised to protect YouTube users' personal data in their $1 billion copyright lawsuit. Google agreed it will anonymize user information and internet protocol addresses from its YouTube subsidiary before handing the data over to Viacom. The privacy deal also applied to other litigants including the FA Premier League, the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organisation and the Scottish Premier League.[8][9] The deal however did not extend the anonymity to employees, since Viacom would prove that Google staff are aware of the uploading of illegal material to the site. The parties therefore will further meet on the matter lest the data be made available to the court.[10]
[edit] Privacy
[edit] North America
Daniel Brandt discovered in 2002 that Google placed a cookie on each registered user's computer, which can be used to track that person's search history, and that the cookie was not set to expire until 2038.[11] As of 2007, Google's cookie now expires in two years but renews itself when a Google service is used.[11] While there is no evidence that Google turns over information to the FBI or the NSA, the value of what Google gathers about users every time they perform a search, Brandt holds, is simply too alluring to keep away from the government's eyes.[11] In response, Google claims cookies are necessary to maintain user preferences between sessions and offer other search features. Other popular search engines, such as Yahoo! Search and Microsoft's Live Search, use cookies with distant expiration dates as well.
Privacy International has raised concerns regarding the dangers and privacy implications of having a centrally-located, widely popular data warehouse of millions of Internet users' searches, and how under controversial existing U.S. law, Google can be forced to hand over all such information to the U.S. government[12]. In early 2005, the United States Department of Justice filed a motion in federal court to force Google to comply with a subpoena for, "the text of each search string entered onto Google's search engine over a one-week period (absent any information identifying the person who entered such query)."[13] Google fought the subpoena, due to concerns about users' privacy.[14] In March 2006, the court ruled partially in Google's favor, recognizing the privacy implications of turning over search terms and refusing to grant access.[15]
Steve Ballmer[16], Liz Figueroa[17], Mark Rasch[18], and the editors of Google Watch[19] believe the processing of email message content by Google's Gmail service goes beyond proper use. Google claims that mail sent to or from Gmail is never read by a human being beyond the account holder, and is only used to improve relevance of advertisements.[20] Whether Google is the only one doing this or simply the only one who publicly admits it is unknown, since the privacy policies of other popular email services, like Hotmail and Yahoo, allows for collection and utilizing of personal information for ads when using their services, but do not specify precisely what information and which services[21][22].
Google's online map service, "Street View" has been accused of taking pictures and coming too close inside people's private homes and/or people who walk down the street not knowing they are being watched on Google's service.[23][24] Aaron and Christine Boring, a Pittsburgh couple, sued Google for "invasion of privacy". They claimed that Street View made a photo of their home available online, and it diminished the value of their house, which was purchased for its privacy.[25] They lost their case in a Pennsylvania court. "While it is easy to imagine that many whose property appears on Google's virtual maps resent the privacy implications, it is hard to believe that any – other than the most exquisitely sensitive – would suffer shame or humiliation," Judge Hay ruled.[26]
In its 2007 Consulation Report, Privacy International ranked Google as "Hostile to Privacy", its lowest rating on their report, making Google the only company in the list to receive that ranking.[27][28]
Critics of Google also allege that the company's huge lineup of products, such as a phone-based application for tracking an individual's whereabouts, could be used to quietly assemble detailed profiles of users. They cite Google's decision to introduce behavorial ads[29] as evidence that the company doesn't take privacy seriously enough.
The website Leave Google Behind, maintained by individuals who describe themselves as "concerned consumers", offers support and advice to users who want to safeguard their privacy and avoid using Google products[30].
[edit] European Union
European Union (EU) data protection officials (the Article 29 working party who advise the EU on privacy policy) have written to Google asking the company to justify its policy of keeping information on individuals’ internet searches for up to two years. The letter questioned whether Google has “fulfilled all the necessary requirements” on the EU laws concerning data protection.[31] The probe by the EU into the data protection issue, as of 24 May, 2007 is continuing. On 1 June Google agreed that its privacy policy is vague, and that they are constantly working at making it clearer to users.[32] The resulting modifications to its privacy policies have been met with praise[33].
[edit] Norway
The Data Inspectorate of Norway (Norway is not a member of the EU) has investigated Google (and others) and has stated that the 18- to 24-month period for retaining data proposed by Google was too long.[34]
[edit] General
On March 10, 2009, it was reported that Google had admitted that a bug in its Google Docs online storage software had revealed some documents that were supposed to be private to people who were not supposed to have access to them. It was believed that .05 percent of documents were affected. Google said that it had fixed the bug. [35]
[edit] Suppression of Free Expression in China
In perhaps its most controversial and far-reaching political action, Google is abiding by the so-called Golden Shield Project of the People's Republic of China, a censorship and surveillance project operated by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. This decision has come under fierce criticism by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. However it important to note that this is the only way for Google to operate in China, as the government there won't allow for the free exchange of information.
[edit] AdSense/AdWords
In August 2008, Google closed the AdSense account of a site who carried a negative view of Scientology and this was the second closing of a such site within 3 months.[36] It is not certain if the account revocations actually were on the grounds of anti-religious content, however the cases have raised questions about Google's terms in regards to AdSense/AdWords. The Adsense policy defines that "Sites displaying Google ads may not include" ... "advocacy against any individual, group, or organization",[37] which allows Google to revoke the above mentioned AdSense accounts. However Google's AdWords policy defines that "Advertising is not permitted for the promotion of religious content."[38] Google reserves the right to close adsense accounts for unproven reasons, such as alleged click fraud, without giving the publishers any tangible alleged facts to disprove. In such instances Google withholds payment from the publisher. Google promises in such instances to return the money to the advertiser but refuses to offer any evidence of such alleged refunds.
[edit] Search within search
For some search results, Google provides a secondary search box within search page that enables the user to find what they are looking for within a particular website. This idea originated from the way users were searching. According to software engineer Ben Lee and Product Manager Jack Menzel, “teleporting” on the web is what helps Google users to complete their search. Google took this concept a step further and instead of just “teleporting”, which means users need only to type part of the name of a website into Google (no need to remember the entire URL) in order to find the correct site, users could type in keywords to search within the website of their choice.[39] It appeared that users were often not finding exactly what they needed while trying to explore within a company site.
Although this is an innovative search tool for users, it sparked some controversy among some online publishers and retailers. Google result pages display pay per click ads from rival companies, which sell ads against brands.[40] “While the service could help increase traffic, some users could be siphoned away as Google uses the prominence of the brands to sell ads, typically to competing companies.”[41] In order to combat this controversy, Google has offered to turn off this feature for companies who request to have it removed.[41]
[edit] Digital rights management
Announced on January 6, 2006 at the CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Google Video store began selling copyrighted content at the Google Video website. Initially, this service was restricted to the United States and certain other countries. To protect copyright of some video programming, Google created a Google DRM (Digital Rights Management) lock for certain paid content.[42]
On 2007-08-15 Google discontinued its DTO/DTR (download-to-own/rent) program. Videos which had been previously purchased under that program, as a result of the embedded DRM licenses being revoked, are no longer viewable despite being purchased for ownership. Google chose to refund all its customers by issuing "gift certificates" (or "bonuses") to their "Google Checkout Account" accounting for the full amount spent on videos.[43][44]
[edit] Energy consumption
Google has been criticized for the high amount of energy necessary to maintain its servers.[45] Google has pledged to spend millions of dollars on investigating cheap, clean, renewable energy, and has installed solar panels on the roofs at its Mountain View facilities. [46][47]
[edit] Doodles
Google was criticized in 2007 for not featuring versions of the Google logo for American patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day.[48] That year, Google featured a logo commemorating Veterans Day.[49]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/ Google Corporate Page
- ^ Technology News: News: Google Pulls P2P Links Over Kazaa Copyright Claims
- ^ New Economy; A copyright dispute with the Church of Scientology is forcing Google to do some creative linking. - New York Times
- ^ Google cache raises copyright concerns - CNET News.com
- ^ Case No. CV-S-04-0413-RCJ-LRL. United States District Court (District of Nevada]]. Filed on January 19, 2006. Retrieved on July 7, 2006.
- ^ Case No. 04-CV-3918. United States District Court (Eastern District of Pennsylvania]]. March 10, 2006. Retrieved on July 7, 2006.
- ^ Martin, China (2007-11-26). "Google hit with second lawsuit over Library project". InfoWorld. http://www.infoworld.nl/idgns/bericht.phtml?id=00256F6C005C22FC0025709F006132F6.
- ^ reuters.com, Lawyers in YouTube lawsuit reach user privacy deal
- ^ guardian.co.uk/media, Google and Viacom reach deal over YouTube user data
- ^ brandrepublic.com, Viacom backs down over YouTube lawsuit
- ^ a b c Agger, Michael (2007-10-10). "Google's Evil Eye: Does the Big G know too much about us?". http://www.slate.com/id/2175651/. Retrieved on 2007-10-23.
- ^ BBC NEWS | Technology | Google ranked 'worst' on privacy
- ^ "ACLU v. Alberto R. Gonzales." United States District Court (Northern District of California). August 25, 2005. Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Wong, Nicole. "Response to the DOJ Motion." Google. [[{February 17]], 2006. Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Broache, Anne. "Judge: Google must give feds limited access to records." CNET. March 17, 2006. Retrieved on April 13, 2007.
- ^ Microsoft's Ballmer: Google Reads Your Mail ChannelWeb, October 2007
- ^ Google's Gmail could be blocked BBC News, April 2004
- ^ The Register - Google Gmail: Spook Heaven
- ^ Gmail is too creepy Google-Watch
- ^ Google Privacy Center - Privacy Policy
- ^ Yahoo Privacy Policy
- ^ Microsoft Privacy Policy
- ^ EFF lawyer is smokin' on Google Street View The Register, June 2007
- ^ All-seeing Google Street View prompts privacy fears Times Online, June 2007
- ^ "Couple Sues Google Over "Street View".". The Smoking Gun. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0404081google1.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-04.
- ^ "Google wins Street View privacy case". The Guardian. 19 February 2009. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/feb/19/google-wins-street-view-privacy-case. Retrieved on 2009-02-19. "An American couple who attempted to sue Google over what they claimed was its "privacy invading" Street View technology have lost their case in a Pennsylvania court."
- ^ Privacy International 2007 Consulation Report
- ^ Google ranked 'worst' on privacy BBC News, June 2007
- ^ Analysis: Google's Ad Targeting Turns Algorithms on You Wired, March 11th, 2009
- ^ The beginning of Leave Google Behind Leave Google Behind: website; accessed March 16th, 2009
- ^ "EU probes Google grip on data" (Accessed 26-May-2007) [1]
- ^ "Google admits privacy policy is vague with EU Probe looming" (Accessed 01-June-2007) [2]
- ^ Earth Times - Google's data Limiting Initiative Gets EU Praise
- ^ "Google Data on Users May Break EU Law, Watchdog Says" (Accessed 26-May-2007) [3]
- ^ Google software bug shared private online documents, AFP, March 10, 2009
- ^ Google murders second Anonymous AdSense account
- ^ AdSense Help Center - Google AdSense Program Policies
- ^ AdWords Help Center - Religion
- ^ Regan, Keith (2008-03-24). ""Google's Search-Within-Search Draws Scutiny"". E-Commerce Times. http://www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/62270.html?welcome=1206452899.
- ^ Stamoulis, Nick (2008-03-24). ""Why Companies Are Upset With Google's Search-Within-Search"". Search Engine Optimization Journal. http://www.searchengineoptimizationjournal.com/2008/03/24/why-companies-are-upset-about-googles-search-within-search/.
- ^ a b Tedeschi, Bob (2008-03-24). "A New Tool From Google Alarms Sites". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/business/media/24ecom.html.
- ^ Is Google DRM crippling culture as great as it seems? The Register, Jan 2006
- ^ Cory Doctorow, "Google Video robs customers of the videos they "own"." boingboing.net 2007-08-10.
- ^ John C. Dvorak, "Google Pulls Plug, Everyone Misses Point". PC Magazine (online). 2007-08-14.
- ^ Keyword: Evil Harpers Magazine, March 2008
- ^ Google to enter clean-energy business CNET News, November 2007
- ^ Google’s Next Frontier: Renewable Energy New York Times, November 2007
- ^ Tweaks send Google critics into orbit - Los Angeles Times
- ^ More Google: Holiday Logos
