In their defense: it is perfectly fine with me to keep my location data, so I can download it later and do cool and/or useful things with it as long as
- it is opt in,
- it can be deleted by me
- is not given to anyone else
For all my trashing of Google lately (check my comment history) I actually expect and belive them to defend my raw data in a way that few others are able to. It all boils down to incentives:
- as long as they keep the data between them and me they can sell targeted ads again and again. If the data leaks then others can skip the middle man.
- as long as they keep their reputation as nice guys that is an immense advantage.
Now this might of course be changing, so everyone should consider if they personally trust this arrangement going for the future:
- it seems some part of the organization is tightening the screws around the Chrome team to squeeze out more revenue.
- of the data is available there is always the risk of attacks both cyber attacks as well as legal attacks.
Describing Google's data collection practices as "opt in" is a bit generous.
>In going through a set of privacy popups put out in May by Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, the researchers found that the first two especially feature “dark patterns, techniques and features of interface design mean to manipulate users…used to nudge users towards privacy intrusive options.”
Location history is one of the areas where Google has employed dark patterns.
For example:
>Ways that Google tricks users into sharing location
Android users are pushed through a variety of techniques:
Deceptive click-flow: The click-flow when setting up an Android device pushes users into enabling “Location History” without being aware of it.
Hidden default settings: When setting up a Google account, the Web & App activity settings are hidden behind extra clicks and enabled by default..
Misleading and unbalanced information: Users are not given sufficient information when presented with choices, and are misled about what data is collected and how it is used. Information about location data being used for advertising, for example, is hidden away behind extra clicks.
Repeated nudging: Users are repeatedly asked to turn on “Location History” when using different Google services even if they decided against this feature when setting up their phone.
Bundling of services and lack of granular choices: If the user wants features such as Google Assistant and photos sorted by location, Google turns on invasive location tracking.
More alarmingly, when users attempted to turn off location tracking:
>In a wonderfully clear example of “dark patterns” designed to mislead users and retain control over their data, Google continues tracking your location even when you turn off Location History and are told that “the places you go are no longer stored.” Google says it tells users, but its disclosure is the bare minimum and users are discouraged from further interference with data collection.
This is the main reason I trust Google with my data compared to other companies the data they have on me is their biggest competitive advantage no way they are selling it to anyone.
- it is opt in,
- it can be deleted by me
- is not given to anyone else
For all my trashing of Google lately (check my comment history) I actually expect and belive them to defend my raw data in a way that few others are able to. It all boils down to incentives:
- as long as they keep the data between them and me they can sell targeted ads again and again. If the data leaks then others can skip the middle man.
- as long as they keep their reputation as nice guys that is an immense advantage.
Now this might of course be changing, so everyone should consider if they personally trust this arrangement going for the future:
- it seems some part of the organization is tightening the screws around the Chrome team to squeeze out more revenue.
- of the data is available there is always the risk of attacks both cyber attacks as well as legal attacks.