[governance] Re: Where do we want to go with this discussion on search neutrality?

[Rui Correia]

PS: Here, a list of more than 150 search engines or search applications:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_search_engines

2010/1/3 Rui Correia <correia.rui at gmail.com>:
> The discussion started off as a posting on interesting reading on the
> subject and we are now already on thought control and what we are
> allowed to read, which I believe is an extreme exaggeration of
> anything that Google might be capable of or would want to do!
>
> What exactly is the issue with Google's personal data policy?
>
> Google cannot have any information on you that you or an institution
> allowed to have your data does not put out there. So, if your paycheck
> all of a sudden becomes public knowledge, don't blame google - blame
> your employer, your social security institutions or your government.
> If you social security details are out there, as happened in the UK
> not too long ago, don't blame google. Blame inept network and server
> management and poor security. And what exactly is Germany up to with
> its ELENA System, retaining Germans' payroll data in one central
> government controlled server? In a networked world there will be a
> leak before they even get it fully operational. If Peter Schaar, who
> heads Germany's Data Protection and Freedom of Information Commission
> is concerned, then we should too. What does google have to do with
> that?
>
> There is legislation out on access to personal data, so if there have
> been violations, we have recourse.
>
> What is the issue if google favours products of xyz comany?
>
> Is that not the norm at the supermarket? Don't they get paid to place
> Avis Chocolates in a more visible position that Siva Chocolates? When
> you get your supermarket flier in your newspaper do you find any of
> the lesser known products or do you find the big sellers? Why can I
> use my frequent flier card on some airlines and not others?
>
> Whatever you are looking for is there. However, business pay a lot of
> money to ensure that their products come up first. Other pay for
> prominence. Brand promotion and advertising are integral elements of
> business.
>
> Now, if Google is deliberately concealing or omitting results, that
> would be a case for concern. Is there any evidence that this occurs?
>
> What about all this talk about competitors going out because of the
> google onslaught?
>
> That is the market, isn't it? Besides for genuine dominant player
> abuse and monopoly concerns, if a business goes belly up because it
> can't compete with the competition, that it means it wasn't good
> enough or they lost touch with the users. Where is AltaVista? It was
> bigger then Google. Same with browsers, where is NetScape? We have
> businesses going under all the time. Where are all the sweets,
> biscuits and drinks your used to enjoy as a kid? Most o them are gone.
> And we have NEW ones coming up all the time. Netscape is gone, but we
> now have Opera, Firefox, Safari etc. There are a hundred search
> engines out there. And there is nothing to stop a small player from
> becoming a giant. The world is full of such examples.
>
> And Google, with all the acquisitions, NEVER bought out a search
> competitor to corner the market - yes, it bought out other operators
> that enabled its system to deploy the various add-ons, but it does not
> buy search engine users. Which is not what we can say for Coca-Cola,
> SABMiller and others that grow not out of conquering customers one by
> one, but by buying up or merging with competitors.
>
> So before talking of regulations and whatever else, should we as civil
> society not be looking at self-regulation? If there is enough concern,
> then why can't we work with the search engines for a code of conduct
> for the industry? A consumer ombud for each search engine and a
> council for the industry with wide representation as is the case (for
> example) with the German public broadcaster?
>
> Best regards,
>
> and a great 2010 for everybody.
>
> --
> ________________________________________________
>
>
> Rui Correia
> Advocacy, Human Rights, Media and Language Consultant
> Angola Liaison Consultant
> 2 Cutten St
> Horison
> Roodepoort-Johannesburg,
> South Africa
> Tel/ Fax (+27-11) 766-4336
> Mobile (+27) (0) 84-498-6838
> _______________
> áâãçéêíóôõúç
>



-- 
________________________________________________


Rui Correia
Advocacy, Human Rights, Media and Language Consultant
Angola Liaison Consultant
2 Cutten St
Horison
Roodepoort-Johannesburg,
South Africa
Tel/ Fax (+27-11) 766-4336
Mobile (+27) (0) 84-498-6838
_______________
áâãçéêíóôõúç
____________________________________________________________
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