Book Description
The growth of Google as a gate to information and entertainment is as dizzying as it is fascinating. 'I can't imagine a life without Google', is an often heard saying. There is a blind trust at its ground, but are we aware of Google's selection processes and what it does with the information on our behavior on the internet? The search results are getting more and more personal and the so-called 'free' services are paid for by the information on our surf behavior. We have become both the producer of and a product to Google. It even intends to become our personal advisor. Where will this lead us? This book will analyze the advantages and risks of the growing power of this corporation. It is not an accusation, but a critical analysis on basis of facts. Peter Olsthoorn (1960) studied history before he became a successful journalist at various newspapers and magazines in the Netherlands, Germany and the US. He has been one of the first European journalists publishing daily online articles since '95. Moreover, Olsthoorn is currently the Chairman of the Internet Section at the Dutch Association for Journalists, and a member of the Netherlands Press Council. This ebook contains exclusive interviews with Google Privacy Director Alma Whitten and Danny Sullivan, founder of Search Engine Land. It also contains practical instructions on how to combat data collection about your personal life.
