Google Admits to User Data Disclosure

Google has confirmed that it unwittingly disclosed sensitive login and password information pertaining to more than a dozen users.

The information was disclosed three weeks ago as part of Google's freely accessible anti-phishing blacklist.

Google said in a written statement that the problem has since been fixed, and that procedures have been put in place to strip login information from future submissions.

When dealing with information in that magnitude, mistakes happen. At least they didn't give it away for a price. And they were quick to plug the leak and do some PR and let the people know. I would be more concerned it was leaked that they purposefully gave it out.

I remember reading somewhere that Google does not delete it's data at all, meaning that our entire history and thoughts are essentially there. IMO it's only a matter of time before a major leak occurs.

That's why I tend to use screwgle.

If you've searched using Google, and you've had the same broadband connection at home for 2-3 years (and a static IP), there's a good chance GOOG knows what you've been thinking about for the past few years. If you use Adwords or AdSense, GOOG knows what income you make through GOOG (and your credit card and home/billing address). If your business depends heavily on GOOG PPC or natural SERP they could roughly estimate your business income. If you use Gmail, well - they know who you've been talking to.

That described me, and when I realised it, i started reducing my dependency on GOOG. That's why I avoid GOOG checkouts - it's another collection point of my personal info.

Matt Cutts' declaration in response to the DOJ subpoena mentioned that GOOG limits access to different areas of the company on a need to know basis; but this statement seemed to be more to emphasise the proprietary nature of the algo.

As anyone in large companies know, (even in financial services companies), multiple data stores aren't difficult to access. And it takes just one disgruntled employee who leaves the company to wreak havoc.

GOOG isn't to blame though, its our own personal choice as to how much information we give one entity.

（阅读次数：）