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Privacy Settings in Google + : What you should know

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Privacy Settings in Google + : What you should know

from JoeUser Forums

 

Well, I joined, but like Martin Brinkmann at gHacks.net, I took a look at the privacy settings first thing.

I strongly advise you do so also to advise sharing your profile automatically with everyone on the net.

 

There are quite a few settings to go through, and since I wish to make this brief, please go to his excellent (as usual)

article and go through it using his “tutorial”.  If you’re rushed though, do what he suggests here:

 

“Google+ Privacy in a minute or less:

Here is what you need to do to configure your Google+ privacy settings in less than a minute.

Click on your name and select privacy from the context menu. On the Profile and privacy page click on Edit visibility on profile and change visibility settings for the items on the screen. Once you are done click on your name again and Privacy.

Switch to Google+ on the left sidebar and modify the tagging and notification preferences on that screen.

Et voila, you have successfully configured your Google+ privacy settings.”

 

 

It can be found here: http://www.ghacks.net/2011/07/03/google-privacy-notifications-what-you-should-check/

 

Thanks, Martin for your timely and thorough walk through. It helped a great deal!

Update 1: Google to delete all "Private Profiles" from Google+ by July 31, 2011

http://www.neowin.net/news/google-to-delete-all-private-profiles-from-google-by-july-31

"While the help section  for Google+ states that almost all of the profiles for the Google Profiles are already public, it adds, "We believe that using Google Profiles to help people find and connect with you online is how the product is best used. Private profiles don’t allow this, so we have decided to require all profiles to be public." While some users may not care for this viewpoint, keep in mind that Google only requires that your profile show your name and gender on your page. Other personal info that you can to post on your page can still be kept private. The Google+ service also has a feature that keeps your profile page from being picked up on search results from the Google web site.

Earlier today it was reported that Google plans to rename its Blogger and Picasa divisions as Google Blogs and Google Photos, respectively. This new move is suppose to help consolidate most of the various Google brands before the official launch of Google+."

Update 2: Known Privacy bugs with Google+

https://www.google.com/support/profiles/bin/static.py?page=known_issues.cs



68,600 views 38 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 24
I cannot, however see how letting a Search Engine intent on marketting my 'Interests' to all and sundry can be a plus - to me. It's sole benefit is to be a 'plus' to Google AND their Advertising customers.
End of Jafo's quote

Google+ isn't a search engine. It's a social 'site' or service which is free to the user. For obvious reasons, it needs your real name and gender. That is so friends can find you... the gender is needed since some names are 'unisex' or common to males and females.

As Stardock supports WC, Google will support Google+ unless it simply turns out to cost too much. Does advertising help cover the costs of G+ and WC? Sure. Does Google figure there are plenty of potential ways to profit from G+ - undoubtedly. That doesn't mean it's opposed to your interests. 

But, it's clear that the users will gain benefits from a site/service which offers or shall offer more than facebook. In the end, the users and Google will see if it's worth it, respectively, and take the indicated course.  

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 26
Google+ isn't a search engine. It's a social 'site' or service which is free to the user.
End of DrJBHL's quote

Google+ is Google just like  Gmail is Google.

They have exactly no reason to exist other than to gather information suitable for Google's clients aka Advertisers.

How 'successful' they are depends on how 'freely' they appeal.

Object Desktop - Get all of our enhancement utilities in one suite
Reply #28 from Stardock Forums Top

Not trying to sound flippant, CharlesCS: Why not wear a mask which would allow you to enjoy the ocean which is much easier and safer "to dive into". Just as you take precautions on the Internet, precautions can be taken when going to the beach... For instance, the probability of sunburn vs. sharks and jellyfish and using sunscreen. Not making fun of your fears. I'd never do that. Just suggesting a solution which might make more enjoyable options for you, my friend.
End of quote

No problem with that. I'm not afraid to admit my fears. I'm afraid of cemetery too. Sure, I could use a mask but that will only allow me to see that which I am already afraid of. I avoid the ocean because I can't see the possible sharks down there, the mask will only scare me more. LOL. But as CarGuy said, not every ocean is clear. But even if, I still don't like it. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful down there, I have used masks before to see the small fish and the coral reefs but I still don't like being down there too often. By the same token I would avoid the African plains and the jungles of Brazil.

Google+ Invitations Likely Spam I am sure the same people will get caught out with this...
End of quote

Keep in mind you control what you see on your stream and who sees what you post. If spammers wanted to get your email they would get it regardless if your account was private considering you're likely to use it to sign in on different sites. Even Joeuser gets cluttered with spammers on weekends, it's inevitable since, for now, it's part of the Internet whether we want it or not.

Stardock's customers/site members' details/information is confidential. No-one's email address [for example] is communicated to anyone without their consent. Privacy Legislation requires me, for example to be at a somewhat unique User Level to prevent my access to Users' banking details [because I am outside the US], yet other info is accessible as site Administrator. Obviously, commercial practice requires legitimate email accounts, etc for the handling of product sales, but the majority of User names, etc. are pretty obviously fabricated.... Apart from here [obviously], I have online info/accounts with the likes of Amazon.US and Amazon.UK and likewise see the logic and benefits of such. I cannot, however see how letting a Search Engine intent on marketting my 'Interests' to all and sundry can be a plus - to me. It's sole benefit is to be a 'plus' to Google AND their Advertising customers.
End of quote

I know they are confidential but then so was the info on the Sony site and the many others who got hacked. Not to mention one can use the email (as an option) to log in and some people just are not always careful with this info in public places.

BTW, I was just looking at my profile and I noticed my gender option was blank. When I went to change that I noticed several interesting options in there. Very interesting set of options. LOL.

Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting CharlesCS, reply 28
BTW, I was just looking at my profile and I noticed my gender option was blank.
End of CharlesCS's quote

You have to make an effort to maintain your gender.....

If you don't use it it'll fall off....;)

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 29
You have to make an effort to maintain your gender.....

If you don't use it it'll fall off....
End of Jafo's quote

That's not what my dad told me.  He told me to leave it alone... "it'll drop off when its ripe" :-"

Reply #32 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting CharlesCS, reply 28
BTW, I was just looking at my profile and I noticed my gender option was blank. When I went to change that I noticed several interesting options in there. Very interesting set of options. LOL.
End of CharlesCS's quote

With so many choices, I am confused as to what to select! :grin:

 

Thanks for pointing that out.  I had not noticed it before.

Reply #33 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 9
Google is just struggling for supremacy against Facebook.....

2 corporate megaliths trying to be on top of the pile.
End of Jafo's quote

 

True enough.  One corporate entity has earned by distrust and disrespect, the other hasn't.

 

I mean, Stardock's a corporate "megalith" also, but they've earned my trust in terms of not trying to screw me over.

 

This is why now with legit competition for Failbook, I'm killing my account there at the end of the month. 

Reply #34 from Elemental Forums Top

How do you completely delete an existing account, no way back?

Best regards,
Steven.

Reply #35 from Sins Forums Top

Here is an interesting article I just found.

Google+ forces us to question who owns our digital identity
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jul/13/google-plus-online-identiy 

It took almost no time after the beta launch of Google+, the search and advertising giant's new social media experiment, before someone posted a web browser plug-in to help users scoop up their Facebook contacts and automatically invite them into the early adopters' cool new playground. And it took little time after that before Facebook blocked this plug-in from working as designed on the grounds that it violated the site's terms of service. 

Reply #36 from JoeUser Forums Top

Can't say I blame Facebook.  Google+ may not be a facebook killer, but it will do some damage to them.

Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Long as I have my 10 digits and can point to myself and say, "This is me.", I figure I own my digital identity. X|  

As for the plugin, got me own too...

myfist0, can't blame fb for blocking it but it's late in the game for them to be worrying about their population, isn't it?

Thanks for the article, btw.

Reply #38 from Sins Forums Top

I really have no opinion on it but I though people following this thread would find it an interesting read.
You're quite welcome Doc :grin: