Google announces privacy changes which their users can't opt out of

**The Dude** · January 25, 2012, 07:32 AM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/google...HOQ_story.html

The Web giant announced Tuesday that it plans to follow the activities of users across nearly all of its ubiquitous sites, including YouTube, Gmail and its leading search engine.

Google has already been collecting some of this information. But for the first time, it is combining data across its Web sites to stitch together a fuller portrait of users.

Consumers won’t be able to opt out of the changes, which take effect March 1. And experts say the policy shift will invite greater scrutiny from federal regulators of the company’s privacy and competitive practices.

It's the same

excuse they give that you always hear: they want to get an understanding of how their users browse and live so that they can better tailor their services towards them. Benevolent words that serve only to sugarcoat an invasion on privacy that seems to be a worldwide trend at the moment.

What time are we living in? Because as far as I'm concerned the age of a free internet is officially starting to come to an end. Whatever we do, we get tracked and spied on, and find ourselves dependent on the services provided by organisations who care nothing for us. Whether it's federal judges ordering the closure of international websites, Google announcing that its gonna track you and that you have no choice but to comply, legislation in America, Poland and undoubtedly other countries, or even something as simple as EA Origin, we get tied down and restricted wherever we go.

It honestly all feels a bit surreal. One thing's for sure though: sure as

not getting myself an android phone now that it will require me to log in with a google account in order to even be able to use the bloody thing.

**Heinz Guderian** · January 25, 2012, 10:41 AM

Use Quintura brother. Or Cuil

**Kanaric** · January 25, 2012, 11:57 AM

I agree with you OP but nobody is forcing you to use google products. Unfortunately they can do what they want at this point and we can do nothing about it other than using bing or apple products which are as bad or worse.