I’ve had an interest in privacy, data aggregation and stuff like that ever since I got involved in the technology industry. Every now and again I have a brush with the consequences of the breadcrumbs that comprise my own data trail.
This Information Week article called Google Is Watching, Perhaps Soon In Your Home crossed my desk recently. [The link died.] It’s interesting in that it talks both about the Big Brother aspects as well as the utility – and coming necessity (I believe) – of these tools.
Regarding Google specifically, the jury’s still out. Are they good? Evil? Some of their products are very compelling and I use them to help me run and monitor my various Web properties. I refuse to install their desktop products because of their phone-home philosophies. Their mapping products are nothing short of mind-blowing. But their corporate secrecy and double-talk is nauseating. <shrug> You plunks down your quarter and you takes your chances.
New Jersey, despite the well-deserved reputation for corruption and scandal, happens to be one of the states at the forefront of legislatively protecting its citizens from the perils of data aggregation. That’s probably because the legislators want to protect themselves but, hey, I’ll take it wherever I can get it.
Anyway, it’s an interesting article.
