Google-controlled web bugs tracking users on 92% of top websites: Study
18 June, 2009
A privacy study conducted by three graduate students in the School of Information at the University of California reveals that Google-controlled web bugs are tracking users on 92 of the internet's top 100 sites and about 88 per cent of almost 400,000 other domains.
Using a Firefox browser plug-in called Ghostery, the students examined the use of cookies, beacons, and other trackers on 393,829 distinct domains across the web, and Google trackers appeared on 348,059 of them.
According to the study, Google Analytics was used by over 71 per cent of the domains, Google AdSense by over 35 per cent, and Google DoubleClick by over 26 per cent. The researchers have, however, said, “We are not claiming that Google aggregates information from each of these trackers into a central database, though it does possess the capability to do so.” [Source: Register]
I agree that this concept is totally at odds with good CSS/XHTML/SEO design and good templating. We’re a long way from AJAX being able to provide full online Word/Office features, let alone DTP design and layout like this tries to do.
"According to the study:
1. Google Analytics was used by over 71 per cent of the domains
2. Google AdSense by over 35 per cent
3. Google DoubleClick by over 26 per cent"
What this means that is individual webmasters are choosing to allow Google to track their website usage data. This is being done with their consent. So there is no question of the privacy of these websites being compromised in any manner, as Google's T&C makes this very clear as well.
Further, if there are concerns about the privacy violations of individual surfers who use these 'tainted' sites, then the concerns should be directed towards the webmasters of respective sites.
Google in its turn could act as a moral supervisor by advising webmasters who use their tools to incorporate relevant T&C into their own websites.
"Do No Evil" was the motto they tom-tommed to the world.
Don't worry, give them time enough to become a bloated
monopolist. Then you will see the difference between
Microsoft and Google becoming indistinct.
The net is still big and independent enough for innovative individuals to come up with solutions to work around
Google.
"The researchers have, however, said, “We are not claiming that Google aggregates information from each of these trackers into a central database, though it does possess the capability to do so.” [Source: Register]"
Guys you don't need to claim, Google's intention is pretty much clear. And it will be acted upon very soon.
This further reaffirms google's monstrous presence in all the verticals of online industry. I doubt if any other company will be able to give them a substantial challenge.
nothing is free, there is a bigger reason for putting it out there for "free". Its going to help the core business and increase revenues, thats why they offered analytics free when no one did and then adsense and now ad serving too...
It all helps google know what links in search and in the ads are more relevant, making the search results and ads shown far better for a user experience and off course increase payouts to google :-)
That is why I use Yauba, India's very own Privacy safe search engine. Htpp://www.yauba.co.in
Enough of this Google spying.
This is exactly what I was saying, where does something like this leave Komli's ad planning tool.
Google is going to be so dominant that I am not too sure that if any other tool will compare.
Also I think its about time Advertisers and Clients make a consortium to check on Google's numbers. Its pretty much that they have free hand on what they consider a click and by not allowing thid party tracking , they are basically unaudited - a precarious situation , I hope someone realizes and does something and not just sit on it, as the industry is currently doing.
Post new comment