Google's Wi-Fi Tracking Causes More Concerns
Regardless of how hard Google tries to explain its side, objections continue to surface about it and partner EarthLink's plans to build a wireless network in San Francisco. Google and EarthLink plan to build a wireless network based on Wi-Fi, a wireless technology contained in most laptops. The two companies would offer free but ad-supported Internet access, plus a $20-per-month plan that is faster, and ad-free. The deal is awaiting approval of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. But the project has caused controversy, especially over how Google plans to track the whereabouts of those using the network. The latest to stir the pot was a member of the San Francisco board of supervisors, which will be voting on the project in a number of weeks. He was deploring the deal as political cronyism and suggested it needs to be reworked. About a week ago, the American Civil Liberties Union and two other San Francisco-based agencies said the plans are rife with privacy invasion problems, and asked the city to restructure the deal to appease the concerns. For instance, the free service forces users to provide information that would let Google track their whereabouts, plus other details like an e-mail address. The geotracking, especially, could also be used by police, the letter adds. In a statement, Google wrote that the user authentication proposed requires only an e-mail address and password and is only to prevent network abuse such as spamming. "Google WiFi will not store the content of any of our users' online communications or data transfers and Google employees do not access the content of any communications or files users send or receive," the statement continued. As Google has put it in the past, the geotracking is merely an advertising gimmick, not a Big Brother technique. For more on the recently raised concerns, click here. The economic and social benefits of free wireless Internet access are beyond reproach, and even the harshest critics laud Google and EarthLink for their intentions. The two are now engaged, for better or worse, in the hardest part of the project: closing the deal. How this all plays out may impact Google/EarthLink's future endeavors, and those of other municipal wireless networks in the making. |
Comments (5)
To whom it may concerne! Dear Sir/Madame! Privacy-invasion-problems? Really?, is that wath's it all about? NO,I don't think so for one second, that is the reason. Zealousy among those, who do NOT gain the fruit's of one's hard labor. "Google" earned there good marks and status on the world stage, and have all rights to enyoy the benefit of it. Personally, I have some good advice to those, who want to elbow there way into some one elses fortune. Read the "HOLY BIBLE"! There it clearly says. [,,Let no man take thy crown from you,,] and if those do not understand the meaning of this "command", they better wizen up to the fact, that they are not there, where "Google" is now. Keep it up "Google", you have already given the world the best of "yours" and your service. Kindest of Regards. Many Thanks. [reckart@gmail.com] Sydney-Australia [critics welcome]
Posted by eckart Reich | April 26, 2006 11:38 PM
Watch the City Hearing on the matter which occured 4/21 Is a pilot planned? Will there be radio interference? What about Fiber to the home? EarthLink - Scientology connection? How about using the City's Fiber as the backbone? Is the network designed to be DiasterProof? ETC Select LAFCO 4/21 item 6 - Windows Media Streaming format http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=16
Posted by Kimo Crossman | April 26, 2006 11:53 PM
My thoughts are... How is this called free Internet when you are subjected to lame ads pumped to you by Google? You pay by having to see ads! It's not FREE, don't be fooled! Either way they make money and it's wrong for them to say it's "FREE". One thing stands true that Google has become what it once hated...a huge mega corporation now traded on the stock market held to standards of profit. I see Google struggling with that issue but every service they offer now has the question..."how can we make money off this one day"...? Once you become a big corporation; that's the goal.
Posted by Rafael | April 30, 2006 8:34 AM
Google says its first-ever wireless network is a safe place to surf.
Posted by Google Watch | June 8, 2006 4:09 PM
Google says its first-ever wireless network is a safe place to surf.
Posted by Google Watch | June 8, 2006 4:30 PM