How Google pioneered the "surveillance capitalism" business model

[danielson]

Moderator
Post content deleted. Political in violation of Forum Rules.

[zorzi]

Best Goggle achievement is probably when its users think they can't live without it...

It's not that I cannot use without it, the question is why? I don't have any problem with Google. But pray tell, what harm did they do to me? Please not BS about CIA and other stuff that was posted in this thread, please pinpoint exactly what was the harm that they do to me.

Personaly, I refuse to use services in exchange of my personal datas. Moreover, I can't stand some of Google behaviors. I try my best to get rid of GAFAM. It's almost done.

I guess next step for me is probably to use 100% free Linux distros.

[Artim]

For me it's just no expectation of privacy if you use any Internet-connected device. Even your "smart TV," Alexa, whatever. As long as I know that going in, it's fine. But I want to be told when my device is phoning home" to report on what I watched, listened to, or asked Alexa to do. They don't say, so now I just assume "if it's on, it's recording."

I'm sure I'm not very important to the government, nor to marketers anyway. And if Google is tracking me in order to make a profile that can predict where I'll go and what I'll buy, etc., is that such a bad thing? I don't think it is, but not being told ahead of time about their "surveillance" is what I find distasteful. No opt-out option offered, no advance notice, unless perhaps if you take the time to read all the fine print in their "privacy policy" every time they change something.

[alexjack]

If it were just a case of Google predicting where you will go, and what you like, that would be one thing. But Google (and Facebook) don't stop there. They influence their users in a particular direction, to a place where you are easier to predict and manipulate. Google has good products that are very convenient to use. No doubt about that. But what is the cost to the user? Why are Google worth so much money if they give their services for free? Are we consumers getting a good deal out of what we willingly (often unwittingly) give? How much control do you want to give to one company? The answer is apparent I think, that Google are getting the best deal by some long stretch.

I often hear an argument that there is no harm done, because after all, what is the harm of seeing videos that you're interested in, and seeing adverts for things that you like? Also, that Google and Facebook have no interest in little old me. They build a profile on you, secondarily for your benefit, but firstly for their benefit. That is clear, no?

So, is that challenge to understand the "deal" better and make it work better for you? Is that even possible?

[richb]

Also, that Google and Facebook have no interest in little old me. They build a profile on you, secondarily for your benefit, but firstly for their benefit. That is clear, no?

And why should I care about that. I am not easily manipulated. If I like something I will bite, If I do not I will not regardless of their profile on me or their attempts to influence me. For me the benefits outweigh their non-existent influence on me.

[Eadwine Rose]

Also, that Google and Facebook have no interest in little old me. They build a profile on you, secondarily for your benefit, but firstly for their benefit. That is clear, no?

And why should I care about that. I am not easily manipulated. If I like something I will bite, If I do not I will not regardless of their profile on me or their attempts to influence me. For me the benefits outweigh their non-existent influence on me.

Same here. They advertise based on what I like.

Well.. I like Demolition Ranch.. I will however never buy any of the products displayed there.. *shrug*
I also like Snake Discovery.. will I get me a snake or snake supplies? Nope.



By the way: Hi Demolitia!!

[paul1149]

I've already been using Duck for a few years now instead of google. And when Vivaldi comes out with its onboard mail client, I plan to switch away from gmail, which logs, through redirection, every click I make in emails. I still use maps and calendar. I guess I'll revisit that when I make the mail move.

Google is not a company to be trusted, as its increasing involvement in shaping public opinion according to its own worldview shows. It's seldom a good idea for too much power to be concentrated among too few, as currently is the situation with much of big tech. I will do my small part to help the situation, and at the same time afford myself a bit of privacy (I know this does not allay NSA-level privacy concerns).

[ChrisUK]

People with something to sell (and in more recent times, Marketing companies) have been trying to manipulate us for 100s if not 1000s of years. Every time you watch a movie or a tv show you are being manipulated (it used to be called "Product Placement"... maybe still is). Tobacco companies did it with huge billboards and also ensured that the star and/or or the "leading lady" of a movie was smoking on screen (even before movies were in colour). How many times do you see a Laptop on a show with the Apple logo on the back? How often do you see the Windows logo on a PC screen? The fact that the Laptop was an Apple product, and the fact the PC was running Windows, wasn't relevant to the plot... it was advertising.

Google just has better and more effective tools... the aim is the same. If you are easily manipulated by advertising and you've things in your house that you bought and never use, and can't even remember why you bought them - you've more than Google or Facebook to worry about

[KBD]

For me it's just no expectation of privacy if you use any Internet-connected device. Even your "smart TV," Alexa, whatever. As long as I know that going in, it's fine. But I want to be told when my device is phoning home" to report on what I watched, listened to, or asked Alexa to do. They don't say, so now I just assume "if it's on, it's recording."

The Smart TV thing really reminds me of Orwell's 1984 with cameras and microphones, of course we have had them on phones and computers for awhile now, but there seems no good reason to have them on our TV's except for surveillance.
I'm glad my TV's are still stupid :) But I expect the next one I buy will have to be a 'Smart TV' as the dumb ones are getting harder to find now.

[KBD]

I often hear an argument that there is no harm done, because after all, what is the harm of seeing videos that you're interested in, and seeing adverts for things that you like? Also, that Google and Facebook have no interest in little old me. They build a profile on you, secondarily for your benefit, but firstly for their benefit. That is clear, no?

So, is that challenge to understand the "deal" better and make it work better for you? Is that even possible?

I used to think Google was not as bad as government spying because they just wanted to sell me stuff. But there is no doubt Google has gone evil. When they were willing to set up a spy network for China, and only backed down when they got caught and an uproar followed, all benefit of doubt was gone. Their spying and giving over user info in China to the government was a serious matter that could put people in prison and worse. No, google lost all credit it ever had in that instance. Break them up, the sooner the better IMO.
Dragonfly
https://theintercept.com/2018/09/21/goo ... -in-china/

Edit: more recently:
https://theintercept.com/2019/07/11/chi ... -semptian/

Google has gotten too powerful and borderline dangerous to human rights.