The Skinny on Google Buzz

1444417344-GoogleBuzzLogo68.jpgWhat’s the buzz about Google Buzz. Apparently they’re not happy with near complete domination of the search and video space. So now they want a piece of the "micro-blogging" pie, namely Twitter.

I have no problem with that, although from a consulting perspective it’s one more item that I need to analyze and stay on top of to ensure I bring my clients as much value as possible. Which brings me to the point of this post. Before getting into the pros and cons, benefits and failings, of Google Buzz (for more on that later subscribe by RSS) I think it’s important that you are fully aware of the privacy implications of using Google Buzz. 

Like most tools on the Internet you do have complete control over your privacy settings, but if you don’t know where to go to manage those settings, you could end up with very public default settings that make sensitive information available to the public. 

This is even more critical given the fact that Google also owns and operates tools and online properties you may be using that are integrated with your account and hence sharing that information via Google Buzz, unbeknownst to you. Sites like YouTube, Picasa, Google Calendar, the list is long. 

Google Buzz.jpg

So before you get too far into it have a look at the privacy policy. Following is a snippet of the "Personal Information" section with some key sections highlighted. 

Personal Information

If you are following someone who publicly displays their list of followers on their Google profile, then you will appear on that person’s public list. Likewise, if someone is following you and displays the list of people they follow on their profile, then you will appear on that public list.

When you use Google Buzz, we may record information about your use of the product, such as the posts you like or comment on and the other users with whom you communicate, in order to provide you with a better experience on Buzz and other Google services and to improve the quality of Google services.

Your activity on "connected sites" (such as Picasa Web Albums or Twitter) may be shared in Google Buzz. You may review and revise the list of connected sites in order to choose which sites to maintain as "connected" to Google Buzz.

If you use Google Buzz on a mobile device and choose to view "nearby" posts, your location will be collected by Google. If you use a mobile device to create a post which shares your location, then your location will be collected by Google and displayed to other users, as described when you first attempt to use Buzz on a mobile device. You may thereafter opt out of the collection and display of your location on a per-post basis. You can also choose to exclude your location from all of your posts.

For features requiring voice recognition, we collect and store a copy of the voice input you make. To improve processing of your voice input, we may also continuously record in temporary memory a few seconds of ambient background noise. This recording stays only temporarily on your mobile device and is not sent to Google.


For more information read the complete Google Buzz Privacy Policy. 

I am currently testing and analyzing the service this and will have a review for you next week. Subscribe by RSS if you’d like it delivered directly to your in-box. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments box below.
 

 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

1 thought on “The Skinny on Google Buzz”

  1. Very Useful information , this is both good reading for, have quite a few good key points, and I learn some new stuff from it too, thanks for sharing your information. regards,

    Reply

Leave a Comment