Even before 24 hours of its release, Google Chrome, the internet browser from Google is stirring controversy through the terms of service. The terms and service that you need to agree while downloading the sotware might not be as good for some people.
“There are some questions about exactly what the browser is capturing. The licensing agreement says it is sending everything you type back to Google so it can better find searches. But are folks going to be comfortable with that?”
Michael Gartenberg, VP of Mobile Strategy, Jupitermedia
Automatic Downloads : More people are asking questions about this. Google says that they designed a browser that is simple and can add value to user experince. They also claims that the browser can run today applications much better. Ever thought of what else can it do?
The term’s of service for the browser says that it may download and install updates from Google and they promise that these updates are designed to “improve, enhance and further develop” the services. You are agreeing to these downloads and installations, whcih may be bug fixes, enhancements, new modules and new versions.
And as the software is released in a beta stage you can expect more of these from Google. After downloading and installing the broswer in my machine I noticed that it installed the software called Google Gears and when searched for it it gave me the description as shown below.
Perpetual, Irrevocable, Worldwide Rights : This is the other part of the TOS that are raising questions. It says that the users must agree that :
“By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any content which you submit, post or display on or through, the services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the services and may be revoked for certain services as defined in the additional terms of those services.”
Terms of Service, Google Chrome
Its noticable that the TOS indicates that advertising revenue supports some of the services and may display advertisements and promotions. These advertisements, Google explained, may be targeted to the content of information stored on the services, queries made through the services, or other information.
As a matter of fact, Chrome’s TOS have similar clauses to that of Google Docs. They were much talked about when Google Doc was released in August 2007.
Gartenberg noted that when you download Chrome, you receive a unique browser identifier number. That means Google not only knows what people are typing, but Google also knows what browser it came from.
“People may want to read the fine print on that license agreement very carefully in terms of what you are sending back to Google. “It always pays to read the fine print.”
Gartenberg
“In order to keep things simple for our users, we try to use the same set of legal terms for many of our products. Sometimes, as in the case of Google Chrome, this means that the legal terms for a specific product may include terms that don’t apply well to the use of that product. We are working quickly to remove language from Section 11 of the current Google Chrome terms of service. This change will apply retroactively to all users who have downloaded Google Chrome.”
Rebecca Ward, Senior Product Counsel for Google Chrome
Personally I am not against Google and is using their services for a long time. Infact I am an ardent fan of Google and their success. But things like this, which are hidden here and there, make everyone to think again. The way Google is getting things their way, it seems that the day when we all might have to agree whatever Google says is not so far.
Website : www.google.comLocation : Mountain View, California, United States
Founded : January 1, 1998
Google primarily provides search and advertising services, which together aim to organize and monetize the world’s information. In addition to its dominant search engine, it offers a plethora of tools and platforms including its more popular products: Gmail, Maps and YouTube. Most of its Web-based products are free because Google makes its money from highly integrated online advertising through its AdWords and AdSense platforms. Google promotes the idea that advertising should be highly targeted and relevant to users thus providing them with a rich source of information.
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