CNET.News.com recently did a comparison on search engine privacy with mixed results. The purpose of the study was to determine how long the major search engines keep your personal information and what they did with it. Based on questions asked, only Ask.com said it would not record what users type into its search engine. There were answers to 5 categories of questions. The categories were: 1) How long was the data retained? 2) Was the data deleted or anonymized? (in other words would your data be anonymously used?) 3) Is your info linked? 4) Is behavioral targeting used? (ads based on recent search request topics) and 5) Can you opt out of behavioral targeting???
Data retained
Ask.com (minutes), AOL (13 mos.), Google (18 mos.), Microsoft (18 mos.), Yahoo! (13 mos.)...
Deleted or anonymized?
Ask.com (deleted), AOL (deleted), Google (partially anonymized) (which part?), Microsoft (deleted), Yahoo! (partially anonymized) (see my Google question)...
User info linked?
Ask.com (No), AOL (No), Google (No), Microsoft (Yes), Yahoo (Yes)...
Behavioral targeting?
Ask.com (No), AOL (Yes), Google (No), Microsoft (Yes), Yahoo (Yes)...
Opt out of behavioral targeting?
Ask.com (N/A), AOL (Yes), Google (N/A), Microsoft (No, but you can opt out on third-party sites but not MSN.com), Yahoo (No)...
Search engines in bold offer the most privacy in each category. Privacy is important because our searches provide a unique glimpse into our personalities and private lives. Search terms have been used to convict a wireless hacker (a good thing) and lock up a man charged with killing his wife (another good thing unless you're the ACLU)) but search engine activity is also a thriving field for nosy divorce lawyers and employment disputes (not good things). One relatively easy way to protect your privacy when using search engines is to configure your browser to not permit the placing of cookies on your computer and there are other ways as well but it gives you something to think about - doesn't it???
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1907] The dawning of auto accidents: The 1st taxicab hits the streets of Manhattan. The 1st crash will follow shortly...
- 1912] Now the real hams come out: The 1st experimental radio license for a college radio station is given to St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia...
- 1934] L'il Abner debuts: Al Capp's comic strip makes its debut in newspapers. Some of us early WNAC to WRKO folks had the pleasure of working with this eccentric but brilliant man when he provided comedy material for the morning show...
- 1942] A Bambi sighting: Walt Disney's "Bambi" opens at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan...
- 1959] Bridging the gap: Ground is broken in New York on the $320 million Verrazano Narrows Bridge which will link Brooklyn and Staten Island. Here's a brief history of the bridge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFduBSjAD18 ...
- 1961] United we stand, divided we fall: Berlin is divided by a barbed wire fence to halt the flight of refugees. Two days later work begins on the Berlin Wall...
- 1971] "Happy Trails": Musician King Curtis, 37, is stabbed to death in Manhattan. King Curtis opened for the Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1965: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ML3IQVSwog ...1995] Baseball Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle loses his battle with liver cancer at 63. Mantle campaigned actively for the donation of organs to save lives during his final days...
- 1990] Rock & Roll tragedy: Singer Curtis Mayfield is paralyzed after a light track falls on him during a concert in Brooklyn...
- 2003] Blood money: Libya agrees to set up a $2.7 billion fund for families of 270 people killed in the 1988 Pan Am bombing...
- 2004] Charley roars: A stronger-than-expected Hurricane Charley roars ashore Florida's Gulf Coast, taking at least 10 lives...
Music Memories:
- 1952] Recorded on this date: The original version of "Hound Dog" by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton. This classic video features a nattily dressed Big Mama singing the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3s4v-02P6c ...
- 1965] Released on this date: "Help" (the single) - Beatles...1966] "You Can't Hurry Love" - Supremes...
- 1965] Performance debut: Jefferson Airplane at San Francisco's Matrix Club...[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...
Commentary...
"Happy Trails" to Merv Griffin, a victim of prostate cancer at 82. Merv was a terrific talk-show host for 23 years, creator of two of the longest-running TV game shows, "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune", a one-time owner of (17) radio stations, 6 casino resorts and 22 hotels. Merv was also a big-band singer for orchestra leader Freddy Martin. How many of you remember Merv's hit record, "I've Got A Lovely Bunch of Coconuts"? Here's a video of that hit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td4uqWTDt9w ...Merv Griffin was the consummate entertainer. He will be missed. R.I.P. Merv...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Danny Bonaduce (48), Scott Hamilton (49), Dan Fogelberg (56), Kevin Tighe (63), Dave "Baby" Cortez (69), Mudcat Grant (72), Pat Harrington (78) and Fidel Castro (81)...
Timeline Countdown: 21 days until Labor Day and 24 days until the NFL opener...
