A few posts back, I described what Google can find out about its users by itself. That is not the full picture, however. By combining its data with the data of other parties, Google can find out even more about its users. Understanding how Google can combine its information with other companies is helpful in understanding why many privacy advocates oppose the merger with DoubleClick.
First of all, although Google executives have claimed otherwise, IP addresses can be personally identifiable. ISPs such as Comcast and AOL collect customers’ personal info, such as their names, addresses, and credit card numbers, in order to provide them with Internet access and give them an IP address, so they know which individual has each IP address. Universities and workplaces typically record individuals’ IP addresses as well, and in the case of changing IP addresses keep track of what users were assigned particular IP addresses at particular times. Obtaining access to the records of both Google and an ISP would enable someone to view people’s entire search histories, identifiable by name.
The possibility of this happening is not as insignificant as one may think. For example, AOL accidentally published the IP addresses and search records of 658,000 users last year, and the New York Times was able to link some of the records to individual people.
Coming up next … what data does DoubleClick collect, and what happens if this is combined with Google’s data?
Source:
Olsen, Stefanie. “Google draws privacy complaint to FTC.” CNET News.com. 20 April 2007. 20 Dec. 2007 <http://www.news.com/Google-draws-privacy-complaint-to-FTC/2100-1024_3-6177819.html?tag=st.nl>.