Google Buzz

If you have gmail and you're not wanting this feature, or any followers, see:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10451703-2.html

 

Thanks. Useful to know for those who clicked yes when prompted to try and then changed their mind

 

Hopefully they do make it stand-alone. Most people would be unaware of the steps you have to take to unsubscribe to buzz.

And by automatically having people follow you, people you've previously emailed or emailed you, to think someone could search for your name in the buzz service, then pull a list of 'followers', meaning, people who have had email communication with you, does raise a privacy concern.

 

I disabled it,no need for it.

 

It's a good idea to make it a stand-alone.
I don't use it.

 

Thanks for the update ronjor. Not the best solution, but definitely better than the initial response.

 

Some more bad press:

Google Buzz reveals who you've been talking to
http://www.news.com.au/technology/g...-been-talking-to/story-e6frfro0-1225830480595

 

I like Google Mail, but I remember a similar issue with Chat, it automatically assumed that you would want to chat with folks in your address book. I had only a few contacts at the time and subsequently deleted all of them. I have no contacts in Gmail now.

Now we have a similar issue with Buzz, since I have no contacts there was nothing to Buzz.

 

Has bad idea written all of it.

Save face, remove any connection with gmail email, and let anyone join through a stand-alone website. End of story.

 

Google says there's been some "confusion" and "no really bad stuff happens".
Perhaps not to them!
see:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/feb/17/google-buzz-schmidt

 

There is always the possibility, others can make accusations without any truth behind it.

For example, person X steps forward, now says their life is ruined. They claim they were tracked down, their world is turned upside down. This person could a) want some much needed cash b) have links to a rival company (eg. microsoft, yahoo + infinite others) c) be telling the truth.

What you can't dispute is that google needed more planning and research before implementing such a feature.

 

The problem with Google Buzz and Chat for that matter is on introduction they just assumed that everyone would want to get on the bandwagon and added some of your contacts automatically without consideration for the what the user might want, A very bad move it you ask me.

 

That's it. I'm done with Google. The privacy issues has gotten completely out of hand. WTF are these people thinking?

 

As Ms.Harbour says..."consumer privacy cannot be run in beta."
That says it all. It's only damage limitation for Google to say now how they
care about people's privacy. It's no use closing the stable door after the horse
has bolted.

 

The internet is a business model, and all companies have one goal: to make a profit. If this is understood, then it should be no surprise as to what transpires when new companies/services emerge in the market place:

http://www.ecommerceinnovators.com/...ogle-buzz-googles-answer-to-facebook-twitter/

http://industry.bnet.com/media/10006390/google-buzz-taking-social-media-to-infinity-and-beyond/

In order to realize the full potential of this service, unfortunately, the annoying and pesty topic of "privacy" gets in the way.

Companies will push the boundary as much as possible and then close ranks if public outcry rears its annoying head. Ms. Harbour writes,

----
rich

 

Why doesn't Google just open up a website like Myspace, Flicker, Multiply, or Facebook if they want to capture that market?

 

They do. It's called "Orkut," and is largely a failure everywhere except in Brazil.