What the Google Buzz-FTC Settlement Means for the "Apology Approach" to Innovation

[JJMcClure]

What the Google Buzz-FTC Settlement Means for the "Apology Approach" to Innovation


Don't know about anyone else but as an online gamer I've been a victim of this many times, half assed games released with all kinds of errors that fixed in 'patches' released later. When it comes to private information though, it's another ball game and this has to be a step in the right direction. I'm all for a breakdown in privacy, it's a step towards a free information society but it should be on the user's terms and not due to complacency, carelessness or greed...

[Clinton]

I couldn't agree more.

What I'd like to see some legislation against is the accidental privacy violations that have become the norm. Organisations should suffer some penalties for breaching privacy. I've often complained that companies seem to think that because they have my email address they have the right to mail me. Even when I tick the box on their order form saying I don't want mail they still send it and I have to chase them to take my name off their mailing list.

There's a general disrespect for the privacy of individuals. Google is a big culprit. In this case they went too far and got slapped. But I don't believe they've learnt from it. At present there are commercial advantages to be had from breaching privacy either "accidentally" or intentionally and the downsides to such breaches are small and pretty insignificant so companies take full advantage.