German government tells citizens not to use Google Chrome

**Shintai** · 09-09-2008, 10:54 AM

It doesn’t get any more “official” than this here. Yesterday, Saturday at around 20:07, Germany’s oldest and perhaps biggest prime time news Tagesschau announced the following under the headline “Warning against internet browser"*:

The Federal Office for Information Security warned internet users of the new browser Chrome. The application by the company Google should not be used for surfing the internet, as a spokesperson for the office told the Berliner Zeitung. It was said to be problematic that Chrome was distributed as an unfinished advance version. Furthermore it was said to be risky that user data is hoarded with a single vendor. With its search engine, email program and the new browser, Google now covers all important areas on the internet.

http://www.berlinonline.de/berliner-...024/index.html

**Solarfall** · 09-09-2008, 10:58 AM

eeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrr WHAT!!!

**[XC] gomeler** · 09-09-2008, 10:58 AM

**~~Miss Banana~~** · 09-09-2008, 10:59 AM

Paranoid hysteria.
It is crystal clear what google does with data obtained through chrome, as the browser is open source.

The argument that one company should not be behind your search engine, webmail and browser at the same time doesn't make a whole lot sense, microsoft has been all of this and more for ages.

**Shintai** · 09-09-2008, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Miss Banana

Paranoid hysteria.
It is crystal clear what google does with data obtained through chrome, as the browser is open source.

The argument that one company should not be behind your search engine, webmail and browser at the same time doesn't make a whole lot sense, microsoft has been all of this and more for ages.

I dont think microsoft lives by and sell your personal data for ads etc. Googles only revenue is to know everything about you.

**Stevethegreat** · 09-09-2008, 11:03 AM

There is a thin line between being concerned for privacy and paranoia and I think the German government passed the line this time. The German government in general the last years is giving out a Luddite image, being concerned is one thing but avoiding new technologies like poison is another.....

**villa1n** · 09-09-2008, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Miss Banana

Paranoid hysteria.
It is crystal clear what google does with data obtained through chrome, as the browser is open source.

The argument that one company should not be behind your search engine, webmail and browser at the same time doesn't make a whole lot sense, microsoft has been all of this and more for ages.

that aside, atm chrome thrashes your hd, if you have the anti phishing enabled, just watch your i/o's read and writes.

**Spawne32** · 09-09-2008, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by [XC] gomeler

agreed, especially after that EULA issue they had upon its release

**~~Miss Banana~~** · 09-09-2008, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Shintai

I dont think microsoft lives by and sell your personal data for ads etc. Googles only revenue is to know everything about you.

Googles main revenue was and is still online advertising.
This is not surprising, neither challenging to find out.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...leID=172302900

The most important part of Googles online advertising program is Adsense.http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/040928-074321

Adsense simply analyses a website, and displays ads next to the website that fit the context of the website. Similar things were allready done with google, where ads after a search have something to do with what you search for.

This is in no way a privacy breach or violation, and can not in any way or form be described as "selling your personal data".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AdSense

Why are people so paranoid?

**Shintai** · 09-09-2008, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Miss Banana

Googles main revenue was and is still online advertising.
This is not surprising, neither challenging to find out.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...leID=172302900

The most important part of Googles online advertising program is Adsense.http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/040928-074321

Adsense simply analyses a website, and displays ads next to the website that fit the context of the website. Similar things were allready done with google, where ads after a search have something to do with what you search for.

This is in no way a privacy breach or violation, and can not in any way or form be described as "selling your personal data".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AdSense

Why are people so paranoid?

I think you should analyze their business model. Selling ads sounds so innocent. Its the matter on how you do it.

Google logs data for 9-18 months.

**FrogBite** · 09-09-2008, 12:02 PM

Google now covers all important areas on the internet.

Down with monopolies!!!

**m^2** · 09-09-2008, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Miss Banana

Paranoid hysteria.
It is crystal clear what google does with data obtained through chrome, as the browser is open source.

1. It's verifiable what they obtain, not what they do with it.
2. Crystal clear...did you ever analyze 1.5 GB of text?

I agree:

**Helmore** · 09-09-2008, 12:17 PM

Am I ever glad that I don't know much German, this way I won't have to listen to this nonsense.

**Papu** · 09-09-2008, 12:52 PM

goood on Zee Jurmans ,
chrome is a pile of W___

**Sparky** · 09-09-2008, 01:02 PM

Meh I see no reason to even bother with chrome, FF3 works just fine and has all the goodies I could ever want. Not like when I switched from IE to FF, where IE was obviously lacking.

**XS Janus** · 09-09-2008, 01:36 PM

Call me paranoid but it seems to Google has become the biggest US spy-house ever!
And it's right in front of our noses. Brilliant! :/

**Solus Corvus** · 09-09-2008, 01:48 PM

If chrome is open source couldn't we fork a version that doesn't send data to google?

**Nosfer@tu** · 09-09-2008, 01:49 PM

I dont mind anybody collecting information on how I use their program so they can make it better.

But I do mind when they start loggin what sites I use and so on.
If they want to know that so they can target me with even better adds, Well make me an offer.

ATM I dont see why I should give up that rigth ?

**n-sanity** · 09-09-2008, 01:51 PM

Brilliant indeed. Sadly, i'm forced to welcome it with open arms seeing as how FF crashes 3-5 times a day...

**kryptobs2000** · 09-09-2008, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Miss Banana

Paranoid hysteria.
It is crystal clear what google does with data obtained through chrome, as the browser is open source.

I haven't looked at the browser but I imagine it just sends some information to a google server somewhere. That gives us no idea what they do with the information once they have it.

**ahmad** · 09-09-2008, 01:55 PM

If I was the ruler of Canada, I would do the same.

**RaZz!** · 09-09-2008, 02:11 PM

well, the thread title is a bit misleading: it doesn't tell us to not use it, they just give an advice.

and i have to agree with them doing so.

**REBEL900** · 09-09-2008, 02:19 PM

Total government paranoia, unecessary..

**Rammsteiner** · 09-09-2008, 02:20 PM

All this privacy crap nowadays. Ive nothing to hide really.

Although I can see where they're coming from for one reason. If they

up one thing 'bad people' can obtain everything they want, your interests, your email (and thus passwords etc) and so on. That might be dangerous, but for the rest... Like I care they know what Im interested in...

Brave New World, that's the best thing ever happened to humanity. Shame it's only a book instead

**~~Miss Banana~~** · 09-09-2008, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by kryptobs2000

I haven't looked at the browser but I imagine it just sends some information to a google server somewhere. That gives us no idea what they do with the information once they have it.

Even then, it is open source so anyone can make it not send info to servers.

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