Google has launched its Dashboard which allows a Google user greater and easier access to his account and also permits him to change his privacy and other settings. This is because Google was on the hot seat for the potential its services had to invade a user’s privacy.

Google Docs, Google Desktop and Gmail and also Street View have been in the news for providing easy access to unauthorised personnel even if it was unintentional on Google’s part. With Dashboard, a user will be able to check which Google applications have access to his data which is on Google and disable those functions.

However, Google has not been able to address all privacy concerns with this application. When people access Google for its search engine features, Google stores the data for a longer period of time than the European commission would like. Its Street View application is still an invasion of privacy.

Another problem that users are concerned about is that Google has the facility to save the user’s password, which can then be misused if the computer is hacked into. However, it is good that at least Google is moving forward to address privacy concerns though it has not been able to do so fully and completely.

Sometimes all this can be a double-edge-sword because people on the one hand want privacy but also want to be provided with better services from Google and other online companies, but without bit of intrusion, this is not always possible. Take Street View, for example, while a lot of people hate the idea of their streets and homes being accessible by all, it has great benefits for others such as estate agents and house hunters, for example.

Search is another good example where people want to be served with relevant results but without Google keeping a record of a person’s internet activity, they wouldn’t be able to provide precise results. Same goes for ad serving.

Via: PC World

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