Against Google Chrome

I was considering trying out "Google Chrome" this famous new web browser. So I read the EULA and let me point out some of the terms I did not agree with:

16. Advertisements

16.1 Some of the Services are supported by advertising revenue and may display advertisements and promotions. These advertisements may be targeted to the content of information stored on the Services, queries made through the Services or other information.

16.2 The manner, mode and extent of advertising by Google on the Services are subject to change without specific notice to you.

16.3 In consideration for Google granting you access to and use of the Services, you agree that Google may place such advertising on the Services.

It's completely unclear what information they aquire they will use to targets adverts towards "you", it's also possible for them to change this and the nature they display adverts to you without any notice. This is a potential violation of privacy as you have no idea what information about you will be leaked out, nor how.

20. Additional Terms for Extensions for Google Chrome

20.1 These terms in this section apply if you install extensions on your copy of Google Chrome. Extensions are small software programmes, developed by Google or third parties that can modify and enhance the functionality of Google Chrome. Extensions may have greater privileges to access your browser or your computer than regular web pages, including the ability to read and modify your private data.

20.2 From time to time, Google Chrome may check with remote servers (hosted by Google or by third parties) for available updates to extensions, including, but not limited to bug fixes or enhanced functionality. You agree that such updates will be requested automatically, downloaded and installed without further notice to you.

20.3 From time to time, Google may discover an extension that violates Google developer terms or other legal agreements, laws, regulations or policies. Google Chrome will periodically download a list of such extensions from Google’s servers. You agree that Google may remotely disable or remove any such extension from user systems at its sole discretion.

Browser extensions are capable of viewing private files on your local computer, and may be remotely disabled or "updated" by google at their own whim. There have been malware found in firefox browser extensions in the past and there's a potential that a piece of software you personally check to be safe could be remotely modified into something malicious. (To be fair, there is a useful aspect to this as well as a dangerous one http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en-GB&answer=1181003 )

For these reasons I will not be using google chrome.

I went back to Internet explorer after they decided to strip every last shred of dignity from their users with the all-inclusive privacy policy.

And what do you know? IE9 is just as good and doesn't use any where near the resources. I looked at firefox but being as 90% of their revenue comes from Google, they are kind of compromised.

If you want a new search engine myself and a few others here use https://duckduckgo.com/. I actually prefer it to google now I have been using it for a while, the zero click system, spam farm filtering, collaboration with other good sites like wolfram alpha and wikipedia make it to me, a superior engine to google. It isn't always trying to sell you something and doesn't track or bubble your searches. I'd go so far as to say I loathe google these days and just wish they and their disgusting business model would disappear.

I was considering trying out "Google Chrome" this famous new web browser. So I read the EULA and let me point out some of the terms I did not agree with:

I'm glad to see someone actually reads the EULAs of the software they use.

For these reasons I will not be using google chrome.

You can use Chromium instead. It's the open-source project from which Chrome is produced, and it's released under a BSD-style licence.

I looked at firefox but being as 90% of their revenue comes from Google, they are kind of compromised.

wat

Quote from: Thork on May 16, 2012, 01:08:22 PM

I looked at firefox but being as 90% of their revenue comes from Google, they are kind of compromised.

wat

Apologies 84%.
http://www.slashgear.com/firefox-google-deal-renewed-84-revenue-loss-avoided-20203570/

And for this reason they send all your info on to google. Browsing habits, cookie info, search strings, you know, things google will use to target you with ads.
Example
https://developers.google.com/safe-browsing/firefox3_privacy

Some problems with Firefox on the horizon: https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox_Social_Integration



The Web has become inherently social. The browser is not yet playing a significant role in enabling the social experience. We are going to change that.

The first generation of integrating the social experience into Firefox will consist of four touch points.

•     Integration of persistent social notifications into the Firefox toolbar.
•      Integration of news feeds, tickers, buddy lists, etc., into a Firefox sidebar.
•      Integration of chat, voice, video, etc. into docked or floating window.
•      Integration of a share/recommend service in the Firefox toolbar.

With these touch points, users will be able to carry their social presence and tools with them, outside of confines of specific social websites. No longer will users need to be visiting a social provider to share or recommend something within that service[/i]

Absolutely disgusting.

Google have Mozilla by the balls. This is probably the reason google renewed their contract with Firefox.

We’re pleased to announce that we have negotiated a significant and mutually beneficial revenue agreement with Google.

Now you know how its mutually beneficial. Firefox is going to light you up to every website you visit. Mmmmm, private tracking info, nom nom nom.

I know your gran uses it, but honestly, IE9 is OK. Poor old Microsoft almost made Do Not Track a standard policy for IE10, but its been quashed by powerful ad giants.
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/06/ie-10s-do-not-track-default-dies-quick-death/

Anyway, I'll just turn it on.

This invasive crap is only going to go away if people stop using products by google. Sadly I think that's going to take a very long time.

Apologies 84%.
http://www.slashgear.com/firefox-google-deal-renewed-84-revenue-loss-avoided-20203570/

Irrelevant.

And for this reason they send all your info on to google. Browsing habits, cookie info, search strings, you know, things google will use to target you with ads.
Example
https://developers.google.com/safe-browsing/firefox3_privacy

According to that link, they will send information regarding which potentially malicious websites you are accessing when you are making use of an optional feature (though one that is enabled by default). You know what I did after reading this? I went to about:config and turned it off.

The above does not constitute browsing habits, cookie info, search strings or anything Google could use to target you with ads. So no, that isn't an example of what you are claiming.

Absolutely disgusting.

Why?

This invasive crap is only going to go away if people stop using products by google.

Incorrect.