Google backtracks frantically on Buzz privacy issues
Published February 16, 2010
The roar of publicity surrounding the launch of Google's own social networking service was predictable, but the company should have been more careful of what it wished for: Privacy issues have rapidly become the most-discussed facet of Buzz.
Numerous privacy flaws, according to TechCrunch, are integral features of Google Buzz, citing the case of one woman who - thanks to Buzz's being open to a user's most frequent contacts - found personal details were suddenly available to her "abusive ex-husband."
The company has apologized for the missteps, as Gmail and Buzz product manager Todd Jackson wrote on Google's blog: "we quickly realized that we didn't get everything quite right. We're very sorry for the concern we've caused and have been working hard ever since to improve things based on your feedback."
Privacy concerns seem more or less endemic to social media networks - Facebook continues to anger privacy advocates with what is seen as a cavalier attitude toward user protection - an issue that creative marketing professionals should keep in mind when bringing social media into integrated marketing campaigns.