The release of Google+ meant of lot of things, but among them was a willingness on Google’s part to push users out into public. Most notably, Google has told users that their profile can either be public or deleted. Google is now poised to wipe out the remaining private profiles.
Google’s Deletion Threats
Not long after Google+ was initially released, Google decided that there wasn’t much of a purpose in private profiles. That included Google profiles that were imported over and retained their old privacy settings. Since Google+ is meant to help people connect, the ability to find people was important.
Users who log into a private profile will now be given the option to either delete the profile or make it public. However, making the profile public only requires that you share your name. Everything else can be kept sealed. And, despite its threats, Google hasn’t yet booted any private profiles.
The Google Plus Privacy Conundrums
Is Google threatening privacy here? As mentioned, users only need to show off their name to keep their profile, so it’s not like we’re swapping credit card numbers. But since Google also requires that users use their actual names, this choice does come with a certain risk. Add to that the fact that average users may not be aware of how to hide information on their profile, and you do have a legitimate concern.
Still, Google has demonstrated – through its privacy policy, ability to hide information, and the very concept of Google Circles – that its social network takes privacy more seriously than the competition. The conundrum of these varying decisions makes it clear that privacy will continue to be an issue, and choices like these could be a way for Facebook to hold its grasp on the social market.
[Sources include: CNET & Google Help Center]
