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Blog 'sware' » Google Offers Glimpse at Data Collection

NEW YORK - Google Inc. is now disclosing more details on how it collects and uses data obtained from users, but it is remaining silent on several key questions that concern privacy advocates. The company's new privacy policy, though little changed in substance from one issued 15 months ago, is easier to read and reflects Google's expansion beyond its core search engine business. It also describes in greater detail what Google is doing to protect against abuses. But it remains remains silent on how long information is kept. That's an area of growing concern as Google offers more and more services that potentially collect and store a wealth of personal data, making the company's servers a prime target for abuse by overzealous law enforcers and criminals alike.

The new policy, issued Friday, states that Google may use personal information to display customized content and advertising, develop new services and ensure that its network continues to function. The practices aren't new but weren't explicit before. And while the old policy says Google restricts access of such information to employees on a need-to-know basis, the new policy stresses that those individuals may be fired or criminally prosecuted for violations. Google also reorganized its disclosures, bringing to the top details on information collected for e-mail, personalized search and other newer services that require registration.

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