The Feds' Flagrant Foul against Privacy

Ever wonder what Google has planned for all of the information it's collecting on its users? Well, their intentions may be completely irrelevant. As it turns out, Google has been compelled to give over their user data by law enforcement at an increasing and alarming rate.

In the second half of 2012, the tech giant received more than 21,000 requests for information, which represents a 70-percent increase over three years. The majority of the requests came from the federal government, who was hoping for a peek into users' email accounts. In most cases, the Feds didn't need a judge's okay.

Google is fighting back, trying to rally support against government access to personal data. In this professional's opinion, however, that's a bit ironic considering Google's own policies on collecting user information.

Just remember, anytime you are using a webmail site like Gmail for communication, understand your email is absolutely not protected and is not private. Do not send sensitive information or conduct business using these types of free webmail services. If you must use these sites, gather the emails through an off-cloud software system, like Microsoft Outlook. Then, configure your Outlook settings to delete the emails from Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail or whatever cloud email service they are coming from, as soon as Outlook downloads them. 

Cops in Possession of False Leads

Tech companies aren't the only ones soon to have large caches of personal data. According to Wired:

Federal regulators are proposing that new automobiles sold in the United States after September 2014 come equipped with black boxes, so-called "event data recorders" that chronicle everything from how fast a vehicle was traveling, the number of passengers and even a car's location.

This is troubling for several reasons, not the least of which is how law enforcement, and a wide range of other organizations, may look to use the information. Was your car in a certain neighborhood during a crime? Did it achieve accelerated speeds while there? Combined with other circumstantial evidence gathered from additional sources, this black-box data could lead cops to believe you're guilty (even if it wasn't you behind the wheel). Not to mention, the data could have an significant impact on your car insurance or warranty. 

Take a Time Out & Read Up

There is so much going on in the area of privacy these days, prompting many journalists, bloggers and reporters to cover the industry. Below are a few good articles I'd recommend.

• Here's a great reminder to always double and triple check emails before sending them. Do you have the right recipient in the "To" field? University of Iowa mistakenly releases GPAs of about 2,000 students

• As antivirus and malware protection becomes more sophisticated, fraudsters are going back to the basics. Keep your guard up anytime you receive a strange phone call. Threatening phone scam costs SV resident big bucks; SCAM WARNING: Hotel Guests Targeted

• It's tax time, but the government isn't the only one after your hard-earned money. BBB warns: Beware of tax scams

• Every industry is struggling with how to balance service and the benefits of technology with respect for user, client and consumer privacy. If you are interested in how privacy should be addressed within new technologies in the Smart Grid, see my recommendations to those building this gigantic new type of network in this industry article from the utility trade publication, Intelligent Utility.

• Big Data continues to buzz. Here's the first in a 3-part series I'm writing on the concept.