Privacy Concerns Surrounding Google WiFi |
Last year, Google announced plans to build a free high speed wireless Internet network in San Francisco. Residents and visitors will enjoy a free, 300 Kb per second, always on connection from anywhere in the city. Although the proposal seems almost utopian at first glance, the Google WiFi network has raised concerns with some online privacy advocates. Online Monitoring through Free Google WiFi NetworkIn order to understand why online privacy advocates are concerned, it is important to take a closer look at the Google WiFi network business model. Although access to the Google WiFi network in San Francisco is entirely free, the network supports itself through targeted advertisements. Google plans on tracking users’ physical locations and search patterns to match Web surfers with online advertisements for local businesses. Google will store this tracking information for up to 180 days before deleting it. Privacy advocates are not worried that Google will use this information to malicious ends, but simply storing such information may lead law enforcement agencies and private litigators to attempt to gain access to it. Law enforcement may even use the data collection to place people under surveillance. Google has declined to comment on these concerns. Google will also be offering a subscription version of their Internet access plan through EarthLink, which will include a faster connection and will not be supported by advertisement. Combating Privacy Concerns with Google WiFiIf you are a San Francisco resident and are concerned about privacy, there are a few things that you can do in order to protect yourself. The first, of course, is to simply choose a different wireless Internet provider. There are several reputable high speed Internet providers in San Francisco, California that do not collect user search patterns, location, and other Web browsing behavior. You can also choose to only use Google’s subscription service, which does not serve targeted ads to its users. |
