Google Desktop Tracked: The Aftermath

Don't be evil.
 - Google
Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity.
 - Unknown

2. You gave it all away.

Get It Try It

Keep reading those terms of service. You really need a lawyer to tell you what it all means. Google used their lawyers to formulate it. Guess what? You're the underdog.

'Information collected by Google or Third Parties in connection with your use of the Software may be stored and processed in the United States or any other country in which Google, its agents, the Third Parties or their agents maintain facilities.'

They're going to mine your computer like no malware ever did and you just gave them the right to do it.

'Accordingly, by using the Software you consent to any transfer of such information outside of your country.'

Oh wow. Anything you have on your computer can end up in China by tonight - and completely legally too. And you just gave your consent.

'You acknowledge and agree that Google and/or Third Parties may access, preserve, and disclose your account information if required to do so by law or in a good faith belief that such access preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to: (a) satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request, (b) enforce these Terms and Conditions, including investigation of potential violations hereof, (c) detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues (including, without limitation, the filtering of spam), (d) respond to user support requests, or (e) protect the rights, property or safety of Google, its users, Third Parties, their users, and the public.'

In other words: Google are going to save their butts, not yours, if push comes to shove. And there's nothing you can do to stop them. You just told them it's OK - you clicked on that button.

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