This is my Online Policy Primer for 503 on Google's Terms of Service.

1. Al Black
Assignment 2
Online Policy Primer – Web 506

2. Google is the
world’s most
popular search
engine (StatCounter,
2011).

3. It tells us
“Google’s mission
is to organize the
world‘s
information and
make it
universally
accessible and
useful” (Google).

4. But have they chosen the correct path?

5. “We know where
you are. We know
where you've
been. We can
more or less know
what you're
thinking about."
(Schmidt, 2010).

6. Google has many services with some of the more
popular being...
Gmail YouTube
Google
Search
Maps Blogger

7. To use these
And to their Privacy Policy
services
you must
agree to
Google’s
Terms of
Service And to the Additional Terms of the specific
(aka the service you are using using
Universal
Terms).

8. But what are
you actually
agreeing to?

9. By using any Google product you are bound by a
legal contract with Google.
This contract
consists of
Google’s
Universal Terms +
the Additional
Terms for the
service you are
using.

10. Can anyone play?

11. Sorry kids, if you’re not old enough to form a binding
contract with Google you’ll have to find some other toys.

12. And if you’re an
adult but you’ve
been banned
from using the
services
previously, you’ll
also have to find
some other form
of amusement.

13. So what sort of actions should you NOT perform whilst
using a Google service?
Contravene the software / data laws of the applicable countries
Access a service via any means other than the Google interface (that means
no scripts or web crawlers guys!)
Attempt to disrupt any of Google’s servers and / or networks
Duplicate or resell any of the Google services

14. Committing any of these acts may result in the
termination of your access to the services or legal
action (Google).

15. Okay, so that’s the naughty stuff out of the way. So
what SHOULD you be doing whilst using a Google
service?
Make sure that you are who you say you are
That your details are correct and up to date
Be responsible for any of your passwords
Agree to be responsible for any violation
of your responsibilities (Google)

16. So who owns the content that I produce and use on a
Google service?
Well, you get to keep the copyright but Google can
do pretty much whatever it wants with your work.
This includes modifying, publishing and distributing
your content to a huge array of individuals and / or
organisations, (Google).

17. “We are moving to a
Google that knows more
about you” (Schmidt, 2005).
Scary?
But why does Google want
to know more about ME?

18. In order to
better
uphold,
safeguard
and improve
their
services...

19. Including
advertising
services!
(Google)

20. And so that they can protect your
rights... and theirs (Google).

21. Is Google
serious about
protecting
users’
privacy?
That
depends.

22. In 2006 Google (partially)
successfully defended against
a subpoena brought by the
U.S. Dept of Justice who was
seeking info which may have
affected users’ privacy
(Broache, 2006).
Hooray for Google! But, there
are other examples including...

23. The fact that Google used to place cookies that were
not due to expire until 2038! (Agger, 2007)

24. So how does Google
know what I’m up to?

25. They have 8 different methods ... yes, 8!
These include
Information Cookies
User communications (inc SMS Affiliate
& email)
3rd party apps Location
Log information Unique application number
(Google Privacy Centre, 2010)

26. “If you have something
that you don’t want anyone
to know, maybe you
shouldn’t be doing it in the
first place” (Schmidt,
2008)

27. Sure, most of what you do in Google
is free, but what else have you given
away?

28. Bibliography
Agger, M. (2007, Oct 10). Google's Evil Eye - Does the Big G know too much about us? Retrieved
Sept 16, 2011, from Slate: http://www.slate.com/id/2175651/
Broache, A. (2006, March 17). Judge: Google must give feds limited access to records. Retrieved
Sept 15, 2011, from CNET: http://news.cnet.com/Judge-Google-must-give-feds-limited-access-to-
records/2100-1028_3-6051257.html
Google. (n.d.). Everything Google > Corporate information > Company. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011,
from Google: http://www.google.com/about/corporate/company/
Google. (n.d.). Google Terms of Service. Retrieved Sept 10, 2011, from
Google: http://www.google.com/accounts/TOS
Google. (2010, Oct 3). Privacy Policy - Google Privacy Centre. Retrieved Sept 15, 2011, from
Google: http://www.google.com/privacy/privacy-policy.html
Hansell, S. (2005, Feb 10). TECHNOLOGY; Google's Chef Speaks, but Not Its Finance Officer.
Retrieved Sept 14, 2011, from The New York
Tmes:http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A00EEDB163AF933A25751C0A9639C8
B63

29. StatCounter. (2011, Sept 16). Top 5 Search Engines from Jun to Aug 11. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011,
from StatCounter: http://gs.statcounter.com/#search_engine-ww-monthly-201008-201108
Tate, R. (2009, Dec 4). Google CEO: Secrets Are for Filthy People. Retrieved Sept 15, 2011, from
Gawker: http://gawker.com/5419271/google-ceo-secrets-are-for-filthy-people
Thompson, D. (2010, Oct 1). Google's CEO: 'The Laws Are Written by Lobbyists'. Retrieved Sept 15,
2011, from The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/10/googles-ceo-
the-laws-are-written-by-lobbyists/63908/

30. Bibliography - images
alancleaver_2000. (2009, Nov 14). privacy. Retrieved Sept 17, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/4105726930/
Boyer, A. (2009, March 7). A Fork in The Road. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbowyer/3370508950/
Brialon, G. (2009, Nov 24). jour328. Retrieved Sept 17, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guillaumebrialon/4144581171/
buddawiggi. (2003, June 3). handshake. Retrieved Sept 15, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/buddawiggi/5987710858
camknows. (2009, Aug 22). Chuck Norris Approved. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camknows/3847818322
Coker, C. C. (2009, April 21). Only Terrorists Take Photos of Surveillance Cameras. Retrieved Sept
16, 2011, from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/caveman_92223/3467707640/
Collins, C. (2008, June 1). anyone can play. Retrieved Sept 15, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlcollins/2554432233/
epSos.de. (2010, June 10). Happy Children Playing Kids. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/epsos/4929687589/

31. Hawk, T. (2010, April 26). Slowly But Surely Google is Taking Over my Computing Life. Retrieved
Sept 15, 2011, from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/4555544036/
Hessam. (2010, Aug 27). "Big Brother Google is Watching You" according to the German weekly
Stern. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/essamo/4932150311
HollyWata. (2011, Feb 26). Stand up for your rights. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23560963@N03/5481219866/
jk5854. (2008, April 22). Day 207: I've Contracted An Agreement. Retrieved Sept 15, 2011, from
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/julishannon/2434691031
King, G. (2008, March 2). Information. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grahamking/2350371254/
Kinologik. (2010, April 12). Google AdWords logo. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kinopix/4514786253/
lexicon10055805. (2009, Sept 7). Cookies. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61287964@N00/5714826865/
LulaTaHula. (2011, Aug 11). Thirty-24: Peeking. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lulatahula/6032199225/
michaelstyne. (2009, June 23). Feelin' Safe. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mstyne/3654056683/

32. opensourceway. (2009, Nov 9). Profitable digital content: It's all about the value. Retrieved Sept
15, 2011, from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/5161093789/
Pearson, D. (2007, March 14). Privacy. Retrieved Sept 17, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davepearson/420884893steve-and-diane. (2009, Jan 6). Ban
Him!!!! Retrieved Sept 15, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveanddiane/3175221922/
TravelingMango. (2008, Feb 9). Court. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/qchristopher/2252920161/
Vincente, D. (2007, July 12). Search-Engine-Marketing. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danardvincente/2512148775/
Weinberg, T. (2008, July 24). Why is Google Disabling My Gmail Account?! Retrieved Sept 16,
2011, from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelopera/2698728964/
Zhang, R. (2008, Aug 26). Dancing Google. Retrieved Sept 16, 2011, from Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/randyzhang/2798081677/