The Wall Street Journal, 17 February 2012 article, reveals how Google bypassed the privacy settings of Apple’s iPhone and computer browser to track user activity. By default, the Apple Safari browser disables the use of computer “cookies” to track Web browsing activity by ad companies such as Google, WPP and Gannett. However, Google apparently found a way to get around the default setting to track millions of users. When The Wall Street Journal contacted Google about the privacy violation, Google removed language stating Safari users could rely on Safari’s privacy settings to prevent tracking by cookies.
Hmm, the “Do No Evil” brand just got another ding in its armor. See my other article about Google. One has to wander how much longer consumers will put up with the continuous privacy violations by Google, Apple and others. For me personally, I no longer trust Google’s Chrome or Apple’s Safari when browsing on my MacBook Pro due to their continuous efforts to collect browsing activity to sell or otherwise use without my direct knowledge.
In a related privacy story on Mobile Marketer, the Federal Trade Commission issued a report reviewing the privacy guidelines of mobile apps used by children suggests the “privacy” problem may be more widespread. Surprised? Hardly…
