The latest buzz about Google Buzz is that it makes children especially vulnerable to loss of privacy.
Google Buzz already tweaked its privacy settings yet parents and privacy watchdogs are still concerned that the new social networking service, which automatically allows users to set up public social networks with their Gmail contacts, exposes children to online predators and other dangers.
“Google buzz is a new danger zone for children,” says privacy expert Kathryn Montgomery. Montgomery, an American University professor, wants the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google Buzz’s potential risks to kids.
Privacy groups are taking a special interest in the case after a technology analyst complained that Google Buzz—the search giant’s answer to Facebook and Twitter—publicly shared her 9-year-old daughter’s private conversation without the child’s knowledge. Technology analyst Charlene Li was even more shocked when she found out that her daughter’s classmates were chatting with strangers.
For those not yet familiar with this latest information-sharing tool, Google Buzz allows users to share ideas, photos, links and videos publicly either to the world or to select friends. Since it is built right into Gmail, the comments can be accessed directly through the inbox.
Like Twitter, Google Buzz allows users to follow other users. To turn off the Buzz, they may click on the link at the bottom of the Gmail page.
The Buzz may also be accessed through mobile phones (through buzz.google.com) and users may locate their position from a one-button press.
Earlier, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) urged the FTC to look into possible violations by Google Buzz of privacy and federal wiretap laws. EPIC filed the complaint with the FTC days after Google modified its privacy settings in response to privacy concerns which flooded cyberspace after its launch.
In its official Gmail blog, Google acknowledged its shortcomings and vowed to continue improving Google Buzz based on user feedback.
One flaw that users and bloggers harped about was that Google Buzz by default allowed a person’s list of contacts and followers to be visible. The new privacy settings make it easier to hide one’s followers and block users.
To ensure that users have a “positive experience” with the Buzz, Google also published its content policies. Violations may result in the user’s access to Buzz or Google account getting blocked.
An excellent tool if used properly
For all the negative buzz surrounding the latest social networking service, however, many still view it as a positive tool if properly used. They say it’s just a matter of letting Google Buzz’s privacy options work for its users.
David Coursey of PC World observed that Google Buzz may even top Facebook as an effective tool for business networking. Google Buzz even has better policies to protect user data than Facebook, wrote Coursey, who came up with a list of the pros and cons of using Google Buzz.
Another blogger, Adam Ostrow, said Google Buzz has unique features that make it an ideal tool for businesses to prosper. Ostrow listed 5 opportunities for small businesses that Buzz provides.
Some in the blogosphere believe that the onslaught of criticisms levelled against Google Buzz is a bit too much and tends to overshadow its benefits.
“Those people who are naturally distrusting of large companies with high market share are aggressively looking for ways to highlight weakness or issues with Google Buzz. While Google no doubt made some early missteps, and has apologized for them, the reaction has far outweighed the potential issues,” Silicon Valley blogger Louis Gray tells WebProNews.
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