Big Sky Network

Google announced the launch of  flu tracker; a program which keeps tabs on who is searching for flu-related information and displays the level of nationwide activity on a map.   Is this creepy “big brother” stuff, or a useful tool for the CDC? 

Google has created a Predict and Prevent initiative which “supports efforts to identify hotspots where new infectious diseases may emerge, detect new pathogens and outbreaks earlier, and respond quickly to prevent local threats from becoming global crises.”  All this from a search engine company.  Google tracks your PC’s IP address and compares it to lists of known IP address locations in order to target where you are located.   

So, what other information is being tracked on Google?  How about your emails.  Those using G-Mail, Google’s free e-mail offering,  have their e-mail scanned for keywords which in turn pop-up advertisements based on those keywords.  Google assures us that no humans actually read the e-mails.  It’s hoping that you’ll click on those ads and generate revenue to pay for that free e-mail.  

Google Health is another offering which asks you to place a lot of faith in Google’s privacy policy.  This service allows you to upload all of your medical records to the program, which then keeps track of your prescriptions and health conditions.  You can refill prescriptions, ask for a second opinion and get personalized health information. 

Information sharing can be benficial so long as there is a level of trust on both sides.  Is there a reason to believe Google can not be trusted with personal information?  Maybe it was just the lawyers talking, but in a recent lawsuit against Google alleging invasion of privacy for Google’s Street View offering, Google didn’t see anything wrong with entering private property to gain pictures of a private residence for public display on its website.  Granted, this is a long way from disclosing medical records, but it still is grounds for concern.