In case you've been living under a rock that doesn't have Wi-Fi, the NSA is apparently monitoring what you do. Everyone went crazy when they found out, although I personally don't care because all the NSA will find out about me is I'm pretty boring. And remember, right or wrong, governments have been doing this for thousands of years - remember our discussion of the runners in ancient civilizations?
Anyway, a lawsuit in California now alleges that Google has been mining student email messages that were sent through its 'Apps for Education' service, which provides tools that can be used by educators at all levels, including K-12, colleges and universities, to hopefully facilitate learning. When we say mining, we mean they have been looking for keywords, patterns, phrases, and generally scanning their contents which would allow them, apparently, to provide targeted advertising. The real issue, however, is that the data was also used to create user profiles of those who utilized the service.
Google's slogan is 'Don't be Evil.' It really is.
Google claims that users of Apps for Education, of which Gmail is an integral part, can turn off the advertisements. Even so, their information is still mined and profiles still created as Google themselves admit. As thee article states, this might be a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA.
Here's my take. OF COURSE they're going to be mining all the data they can. Google even admitted recently that Google Plus was a big effort to track you, and collect and mine your data. The issue here is the privacy of students *required* to use a service as opposed to doing so electively. I can't fault companies for wanting to mine data, they can make important and effective decisions that way. It's *how* they go about it, and disclose it, that's important.
On the other hand, I always question the true motivations of class-action lawsuits, which this one is attempting to become. The plaintiffs want monetary damages, and that immediately makes me suspect it's an opportunistic money-grab. I can't imagine (although I don't know) that anyone was hurt financially or so emotionally they need financial compensation. That aspect of the suit, at least for now, I disagree with.
Class-action status hasn't yet been granted, but I could see it going either way. Ultimately, data mining will continue, it's happening to all of us right now, and people don't like it. But it is a useful tool for companies, and the 'how' still needs to be worked out.
I think what Google is doing is wrong. It is one thing to mine data from us, but when are they going to draw the line. Mining data from students is unnecessary. They can often times obtain information the old fashion way, surveys, polls, etc. This is an invasion of privacy that needs to be stopped and mandated. I agree with you on the compensation part. They do not need money for this type of class-action lawsuit. They just need to help pursuit this to make a change and fight for right of privacy for future students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, however many people are money hungry and are "sue happy". But I also agree with the fact to fight for future students, and to make sure this doesn't keep happening in the future.
DeleteMya Taylor
I can see why people are upset and are leaning towards class-action lawsuit. People want to have some form of privacy, especially when it comes to their children. When people hear that the privacy of their children are not be safe guarded, almost every parent is going to have something to say about this. Even if Google is using the data for good purposes, I don’t think it will change parent's feeling about the situation.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that data mining is an important tool for companies to make effective and efficient decisions for their companies. I truly believe that the more a company knows about their current target audience or their potential audience, the more successful they will be. In addition, this is going to eliminate unnecessary costs if proper analysis is conducted from the data mining.
I agree with you about everyone wanting privacy. I think the class-action lawsuit is just a way of letting other companies that want to follow suit to be very careful in doing so because they can be sued as well. I believe now a days everyone wants the easy way out and is going sue happy. I feel that it is important for everyone to have some kind of privacy but if and when you turn on your computer and go to the internet then you must know that it is all fare game into what you are looking up and what you are doing.
DeleteI do understand how people are upset about the mining activity; everyone has the right to privacy a lot of important informaton is sent using email accounts and applications. Everyone wants to believe that theiry privacy is protected, so when it is known that your privacy has been violated everyone wants to sue. I do agree that their probley will not be a pay out but Google may see a possible fine in the future. But let's face it Google is not the only company that uses mining to target certain advertisements to a target audience. This is one way these companies make money. is by advertising for other companies. As long as their is money to be made mining will continue.
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