Google Buzz launch raises privacy concerns

22 February 2010 Filed under Google | Industry News

Google Buzz, the internet giant's latest foray into the websphere, is a social networking application widely touted as a contender to the likes of Facebook and Twitter.

Launched on 9th February, the service caused outrage amongst Gmail users who were automatically allocated "friends" based on people they emailed regularly, and in many cases the default profile settings allowed anybody to see who Gmail users corresponded with.

The company responded quickly with changes to the application, including methods to placate those with privacy concerns, but many critics are still unimpressed, and it's reported that a class-action lawsuit has been filed in California.

At the time of launch, Gmail had over 170 million users.

More information:

Google Buzz Raises a Stink Far and Wide
http://www.enterprise-security-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=71743

Google Buzz 'breaks privacy laws' says watchdog
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8519314.stm

Gmail Users Sue Google for Google Buzz Launch
http://www.kokeytechnology.com/google/google-gmail/gmail-users-sue-google-for-google-buzz-launch/