Frogboy

Join Date 03/2001

+2419

Google's CheckOut

Coming to a site near you...

External Link

Google is taking on PayPal and Microsoft's Passport at the same time with its new "CheckOut".

The idea is that users who want to buy things from sites are often discouraged because of the tedium of having to enter in all their credit card details and shipping info when they purchase. Google's CheckOut would allow users to create a single site and then websites that support it would then allow users to purchase using their Google CheckOut.

If you've ever used Amazon's OneClick, you can imagine the convenience (for users of this) who could go to a Stardock or deviantART or other websites and be able to quickly purchase things without having to repeatedly enter in credit card details. It would all be handled through Google.

CNET is pointing out that this is something Microsoft wanted to do but concerns over privacy and a lack of general trust in Microsoft prevented widespread acceptance. This begs the question - why is one multi-billion dollar company so much more trustworthy than another? And is there any merit to that?

I can say that WinCustomize plans to support purchases made with CheckOut soon (we already support PayPal).

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Pretty scary with all the stuff google has like this they could now every thing about you

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Jafo

Join Date 03/2001

+1845

I don't think I'll be making use of it any time soon. I personally trust Microsoft infinitely MORE than Google....

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HG_Eliminator

Join Date 07/2002

+354

il stay away from any company that claims all data sent to them as their material ( G Mail ).. and will this inherent agreement be in a clause in the EULA for CheckOut? I would hate to think what would happen if they laid claim to all of peoples C.C. data and stuff and sold it to highest bidders...

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I don't think I'll be making use of it any time soon. I personally trust Microsoft infinitely MORE than Google....

Exactly what are you afraid they'll do with your information?

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

any company that claims all data sent to them as their material

Please provide source of claim . . . I call BS. My source: http://www.google.com/mail/help/terms_of_use.html

Quote [section 5, paragraph 2]:

Your Intellectual Property Rights. Google does not claim any ownership in any of the content, including any text, data, information, images, photographs, music, sound, video, or other material, that you upload, transmit or store in your Gmail account. We will not use any of your content for any purpose except to provide you with the Service.

Also:

Advertisements. As consideration for using the Service, you agree and understand that Google will display ads and other information adjacent to and related to the content of your email. Gmail serves relevant ads using a completely automated process that enables Google to effectively target dynamically changing content, such as email. No human will read the content of your email in order to target such advertisements or other information without your consent, and no email content or other personally identifiable information will be provided to advertisers as part of the Service.

Google is an advertising company that wants to parse your data to direct the most relevant ads to you so you will buy from their advertisers and then they can charge more.

All of their apps are designed [or have the potential] to show you ads about you and your interests or facilitate sales to companies that advertise with Google. That's a service that everyone can win from.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central

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starkers

Join Date 05/2004

+1153

I don't think I'll be making use of it any time soon. I personally trust Microsoft infinitely MORE than Google..

Same here....in fact, I'll never avail myself of ANYTHING Google offers....don't trust 'em, pure and simple!

That's a service that everyone can win from.

Not me, not ever. I despise advertisers with a passion, invading just about every facet of peoples lives with annoying, invasive ads that most would rather not to be bothered by....despicable scumbags!

Okay, Google states that it does not lay claim/ownership to personal information, so why then do they keep data banks bursting at the seams with it....obviously they see and find ways to profit from it....YOUR information (if you're silly enough to provide it to them). To me, that's no better than using my neighbour's drivers license, birth certificate covertly to my own advantage....it's criminal.

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

why then do they keep data banks bursting at the seams with it

So they can target ads to you and sell more ads for more money thence more profit.

To me, that's no better than using my neighbour's drivers license, birth certificate covertly to my own advantage....it's criminal

Taking data is theft, using data that I authorize them to parse so I can use a service (and maybe get an ad for a product that relates to me) is a solid business plan.

The nice thing is Starkers . . . they are not forcing you to use their products yet.

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Jafo

Join Date 03/2001

+1845

The nice thing is Starkers . . . they are not forcing you to use their products yet.

Well...people 'could' choose to totally ignore any email sent to them via a gmail account....so by not replying their personal information would NOT be 'parsed'.

Bloody little use Gmail would be then...when its users were ignored to protect respondents' privacy.

I don't have an account...but unfortunately I'm obliged to communicate with people who do...so...just because these idiots are happy to have their email content intercepted...just so they can get a crap-load of online storage/whatever...I, too have my privacy compromised.

"forcing you"?....yes, though the reality of others' usage.....

You 'authorize' the data-mining....what real options are left for your respondents?

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

You 'authorize' the data-mining....what real options are left for your respondents?

If the respondents don't use any Google services I would imagine that the email data is used for other users that match the demographic profile.

If gmail processes lots of email from Oz that has content for soccer, I would imagine that Oz users who DO you gmail will see more soccer ads.

Invasion of privacy . . . maybe. I'll have to think more about that. Harm to the non-gmail user? None. Benefit to Google, advertisers, and gmail user? High.

Data tracking is just part of the world we live in though. Banks sell ATM usage data to anyone who wants it. They might sell it to a VC who wants to open a bar and wants to be near a place where lots of cash is withdrawn. Invasion of privacy? Crappy illustration? Yes. But you get the point.

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wow....look ma' another great conspiracy theory...

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Interesting tidbit from another untrustworthy company: Ebay refuses to let Google Checkout be used on their site.

Suspected reason? Conflict of interest from Paypal.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,126351,tk,nl_dnxnws,00.asp

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Jafo

Join Date 03/2001

+1845

The Gmail 'issue' is just an aside to this thread, not the specific topic, however it raises the issue of that motto 'do no harm' or whatever Google's spin-doctors penned...as a quip to placate the masses [the opiate called religion would be too obvious as a literary reference].

Would I trust Google with the contents of my wallet....whilst they are giving the 'contents' of my intellectual communications to their creditors?

Probably that would be a 'no'....

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starkers

Join Date 05/2004

+1153

So they can target ads to you and sell more ads for more money thence more profit.

Comes back to my original complaint....I don't want to be targetted by their slimy, invasive ads, help boost their profits...hence I refuse to subscribe to any of Google's products/services....

No, Google is not forcing me to use their products/services, and just as well too! There'd be hell to pay if they tried. However, if I were to respond to a person who uses Gmail, the information I'd send would be 'key word' disseminated to target others with ads...without my permission.

Hence, all my contacts are forewarned that all Gmail correspondence will be trash-canned without opening...regardless who its from. It won't be opened/replied to because, ultimately, to use non-Gmail user correspondence to Gmail customers for the purpose of ad targetting is downright dishonest, as there is no EULA/consent given....and therefore doubtful that it's even legal.

Probably that would be a 'no'...

Probably that would be a definite 'as God is my witness' 'set in reinforced concrete' 'NO way in hell' NO!!

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