Global POV: At the Intersection of Technology and Culture

Some people can't win beauty contests

by Suzanne

A recent interim report released by Privacy International rated more than 20 Internet companies on what type of data is retained, for how long, ease in contact (privacy policy questions), ethical compass, and consumer/user control among a few other categories. A Race to the Bottom: Privacy Ranking of Internet Service Companies, a Consultation Reportexamined e-mail providers, search engines, and e-commerce sites by using a methodology comprised of about twenty core parameters. They rank major outfits but they also examine some smaller companies. Google is ranked at the bottom with a rating of "hostile to privacy". Google's proposed 3.1 billion dollar deal with DoubleClick doesn't bode well for privacy advocates. According to Privacy International's rankings, the deal means Google could use DoubleClick's DART (Dynamic Advertising Reporting & Targeting) advance profiling system to further delve into user's privacy. According to a ComScore press release , Google captured almost 50% percent of the search engine market as of March, 2007.

Because A Race to the Bottom... is an interim report, Privacy International is giving the rated companies a chance to respond by participating in a privacy accord in July. They rightfully point out that Google isn't the only rated company with questionable privacy practices. The first order of business is to discuss existing practices with participating companies in order to understand how customer data is being used. Privacy International encourages rated organization to challenge their findings and provide further information for their full report in September. They intend to publish a full list of invitees and whether or not they will be in attendance. Invitations will be sent by July 12, 2007.

Posted on June 22, 2007