Google Alarm for Firefox Screams Every Time Google Spies You

[TanyaEverest]

Saw this article on Gizmodo which really gives a good idea of how much Google checks up on us as we browse on the net. The most interesting part is if you watch the video and see the alert in action.

http://gizmodo.com/5610018/google-al...ogle-spies-you

"Not many people are aware about how many times Google collects personal browsing data whenever you visit a web page. If you have Firefox, now you can install Google Alarm and make this fact painfully and annoyingly clear.

The Google Alarm Firefox add-on will scream and show an alert every time your personal information is sent to Google servers. Since this happens almost everywhere—thanks to spying bugs like Google Analytics, AdSense, YouTube embeds, Google API calls, and who knows what else—you may just want to look at the demo"

[Ixian]

I wouldn't call it spying. Just like in the real world whatever you do leaves a physical trace the same applies for cyberspace.

If Google is guilty of spying because of the analytics code installed on websites, are not the webmasters who installed the code equally guilty?

[TanyaEverest]

I wouldn't call it spying. Just like in the real world whatever you do leaves a physical trace the same applies for cyberspace.

Totally agree-it's not as much spying as recording. It's still crazy to see how "followed" we are. Unlike the real world, in cyberspace all our past actions are stored, leaving a significantly more permanent trace.

[Anthony]

That thing was constantly going off. Data collecting is non stop, the google alarm is a good reminder of how often it happens.

[craig96]

That alarm would be so annoying to me. Clear your browser, bet Google love that or reset your IP address and they will be like: "awww, got to start again now"

[grem]

it is annoying indeed but it does show how often data goes to google

[davenewgates]

That sure will be annoying, see how google has been tracking us everytime where online? Right or wrong, i will just choose not to have the add on.

[WinYourWayKyle]

I could never install an app that did this....
It would drive me mental....

[WinYourWayKyle]

I dont think I would want to know either how much Google is spying on me....

[TanyaEverest]

I agree-could never install this app and use it regularly, but the alarm definitely works as a wakeup call. Of course all of us are aware of how often Google is checking up on us, but the alarm really makes it hit home.