more on An Open Letter to Google: Concepts for a Google Privacy Initiative

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ray Everett-Church <ray () privacyclue com>
Date: May 10, 2006 6:23:40 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net, lauren () vortex com
Subject: RE: [IP] An Open Letter to Google: Concepts for a Google  
Privacy Initiative

It's a great idea, but good luck getting it considered.

More than five years ago, I spoke with folks in Google's legal  
department
about their emerging need for a Privacy Officer and a coordinated  
approach
to privacy matters. Unfortunately the folks I spoke to couldn't seem  
to wrap
their minds around the concept of, much less the need for, such an  
effort. I
was told at the time that concern for privacy matters was so deeply
engrained in everyone that worked at Google that they felt privacy  
issues
would get dealt with organically -- and well before trouble emerged --
without further formal attention.

In the intervening years, follow-up inquiries and conversations with  
Google
staff have evoked themes and variations on the same response, even as  
they
stumbled from one privacy-related embarrassment to another. My sense  
is that
it's a classic case of a bunch of people who are so brilliant that they
don't know how much they don't know.

It's a great proposal though, and one that Google desperately needs to
consider... indeed any number of companies would be well advised to  
consider
the same plan. I'll be the first to cheer if they show signs of  
getting a
"privacy clue." Just don't hold your breath.

Regards,
-Ray Everett-Church
http://www.privacyclue.com



> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Farber [mailto:dave () farber net]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 1:14 AM
> To: ip () v2 listbox com
> Subject: [IP] An Open Letter to Google: Concepts for a Google
> Privacy Initiative
<snip>



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