Google Buzz: Killing Your Privacy?

On Tuesday Google launched this new social interaction feature called Buzz. No one fully understands it yet, but basically it lets Gmail users create sort of a one-stop Twitter/Facebook/Misc. interface (and bypass your employer's social media blocks). Or something. Some say it's the DEATH of Facebook, while others are vowing to "buzz your Gmail inboxes so hard they're going to explode!" But the exciting new what-have-you has also spread fear, because when you activate it, the default setting automatically lets all your Gmail contacts (like your wife) see the people you IM and e-mail most (your ex-wife!). Take it away, irate Buzz user:

I use my private Gmail account to email my boyfriend and my mother. There’s a BIG drop-off between them and my other “most frequent” contacts. You know who my third most frequent contact is? My abusive ex-husband.
Which is why it’s SO EXCITING, Google, that you AUTOMATICALLY allowed all my most frequent contacts access to my Reader, including all the comments I’ve made on Reader items, usually shared with my boyfriend, who I had NO REASON to hide my current location or workplace from, and never did.

My other most frequent contacts? Other friends of Flint’s.

Anyway, if you want to know how to make it so your secret pal isn't exposed to everyone through Google Buzz, Business Insider talks you through it. This way you can at least make sure your creepy uncle doesn't find out about you and Sesame Street. It's also being reported that Google is considering separating Buzz from Gmail entirely.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on February 12, 2010 5:18 PM

Comments [rss]

adpwnage

Hey Everyone,

Good news: Google realized they are a bunch of idiots and are removing that autofollowing bs.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/oops-google-says-were-very-sorry-for-the-big-buzz-blunder/19357443/

Jesq

In very small print at the bottom of the Gmail inbox there is a link to "turn off buzz"

adpwnage

LOL, this has been mentioned a few times. Unfortunately, if you are just joining the discussion, you will see that turning off buzz does NOT remove followers or prevent new followers being added and viewing your followers etc...

jaycjay

"It's also being reported that Google is considering separating Buzz from Gmail entirely."

That's a pretty inaccurate summary of the linked article. The first sentence of that article actually does a much better job: "Google says it may allow people to participate in Google Buzz without having it integrated within Gmail, in addition to offering a combined Gmail service."

How is that turned into "separating Buzz from Gmail entirely"?

jaycjay

Ha! Should've kept reading! The original story is also included. The headline used to be "Google: We May Remove Buzz From Gmail Content."

So yeah, SearchEngineLand, and not Gothamist, can be blamed for the confusion.

jaycjay

Actually I now see that the article and headline have been changed from what they were originally. I can't see what they used to be, but there's a "postscript" in the article that suggests that they may have been misleading on that point:

"Postscript: I’ve substantially updated this article since it first appeared. We never meant to suggest that Google would not ALSO offer a Gmail-linked service, but our headline may have given this impression. That was unintentional, and our apologies about that."

dgeee

...makes me happy I'm not married and my computer password protected.

mookie

so how to you actually turn it off?

adpwnage

As of now...no one knows. I hate the idea of having to turn buzz on to check if people are following me. How can google decide to randomly make people my followers or make me followers of others without my permission?

adpwnage

Google has the best privacy settings on the web! What are you talking about?! I even saw this ad on craigslist made by the one who came up with Buzz. HERE

ProcedureTurn

I just turned Google BUZZ off.

Just go to the bottom of your GMAIL account and click on "Turn Off BUZZ"

Much easierthan dealing with the intrusion and settings nightmare.

pandarelated

that doesn't actually turn it off. it just stops you from seeing it. FYI

ProcedureTurn

uh oh... i better check this out.

thanks.

FutureMan83

Her ex's name is Flint? lmao

JenChungsBaby

I hate stuff like this. Yahoo did something similar recently, suddenly allowing all my email contacts to see whatever activity I did on Yahoo. I didn't know about it until my wife warned me that she was getting notices about my Yahoo activity on her Yahoo email page. It took a little poking around but I killed it.