Google is fast turning out to be the next most controversial company when it comes to privacy of their users.

The Google search combined with other services like Orkut and GMail are definetely drawing attention to many people who have got under the hoods to reveal some of the ways in which Google collects information.

If you ask me, it really doesn't matter - so what if a wonderful service is collecting some harmless information to improve and better the services it offers me?

But then, this could have serious implications when somebody is using the service and wants to be completely anonymous. Also, there are people who feel that Google analyzing the patterns of your search (or any other service), might actually give them deep insights that could be used against their competitors or used to exploit their users.

One of the latest I got to find is the shocking Orkut policy. Clearly states that anything posted on Orkut (other than personal information) is a property of Orkut that it may use any which way it wants:

orkut.com's proprietary rights

By submitting, posting or displaying any Materials on or through the orkut.com service, you automatically grant to us a worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicenseable, transferable, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right to copy, distribute, create derivative works of, publicly perform and display such Materials. That said, our use of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy and we will never rent, sell or share your personal information with any third party for marketing purposes without your express permission.

orkut.com LLC and its affiliates and licensors own and retain all rights in the orkut.com Web site and service, which contain proprietary and confidential information that is protected by applicable intellectual property and other laws. Except as expressly authorized by orkut.com, you may not copy, modify, publish, transmit, distribute, perform, display or sell any of orkut.com's proprietary information. "Orkut" and "orkut.com" are trademarks of orkut.com LLC.

It is our policy to respond to notices of alleged infringement that comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Wow! Imagine discussing things like ideas, cultural issues, etc. there and then getting Orkut (Google) to compile it and give it to people who would be interested.

Microsoft Passport had a similar issue long ago (so it seems) and the privacy policy was amended five days after it was criticized. (For the full report read http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/02/05/google_revives_discredited_microsoft_privacy/)

The Gookie

A more interesting link I came across is a whole lot of analysis and information about the cookie that Google places on your computer.

Read http://www.google-watch.org/cgi-bin/cookie.htm  and see what exactly is placed. The nature of the cookie itself suggests a very formalized and robust tracking program that it could be feeding.

All said and done, Google is one of the most respected companies of today's world and most users would willingly trust their motives. I do. And for avoiding another unnecessary and useless battle of *anti-trust* I hope Google watches its ways and learns from the history that Microsoft has been through.