swhx7 Premium Member join:2006-07-23 Elbonia |
swhx7
Premium Member
2010-Jan-14 9:51 am
API = application programming interface. The Google APIs are a way for maintainers of the site you're looking at to provide Google-powered apps on the page, such as a mini version of Google search, maps or other web applications you would normally use on a Google site.
Whether this is "safe" or acceptable for you is for your judgment. Malware is not a concern with Google APIs, as far as I know. However, Google's business model is in part to collect a lot of data about what the public are doing online. So if you allow it, Google will record what you're looking up, your IP address, and your browser info, and correlate it with any other data they have about you.
The services may also need to set and read cookies in order to work right. You're more "exposed" in terms of what Google knows about you if you have picked up a Google cookie before, or if you accept and keep them when using Google apps; and especially if you've signed up for an account with real name, etc.. If you delete the Google cookies you're probably starting fresh with them (tho they may be able to make weaker links to your online activity by IP address). |