U.S. based privacy group probably will complain to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission that a new Google search feature raises privacy concerns. Earlier this week Google announced hacky sounding name of, “Search plus your world.” Which nods into its Google+ network to deliver personalised social results. Secondly critics say Google crossing the line by favouring its own network above competitors.
Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), stated that EPIC is considering filing a letter with the Federal Trade commission. Rotenberg also added that personalised results will make personal data of users on Google+ more accessible which may lead to privacy concerns. ”We believe this is something that the FTC needs to look at,” Rotenberg said. ”Google is an entrenched player trying to fight off its challenger Facebook by using its market dominance in a separate sector,” Rotenberg said. “I think that should trouble people” he added.
Google is changing the results displayed by its search engine to include data from its social network, such as photos or blog posts made by Google+ users, as well as the public Internet. Although data from a user’s Google+ contacts is not displayed publicly, Google’s changes make the personal data of users more accessible. Users can opt out of seeing personalized search results, but cannot opt out of having their information found through Google search. Also, Google’s changes come at a time when the company is facing increased scrutiny over whether it distorts search results by giving preference to its own content. Recently, the Senate held a hearing on Google’s use of its dominance in the search market to suppress competition, and EPIC urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google’s use of Youtube search rankings to give preferential treatment to its own video content over non-Google content.
