March 8, 2006

GDrive gets cold reception

by Brian Turner

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Google

Plans by Google to offer complete online storage facilities for home users were accidently released to the internet, according to the BBC.

The so-called “GDrive” would allows users to upload their harddrive contents online, and use it to store and retrieve documents as easily as using their home computer.

However, the plans have caused a storm of protests over privacy concerns, and the Scotsman reports that it’s led to vociferous condemnation by privacy groups in the USA.

The suggestion of a GDrive isn’t news - confirmation that it may be in development by Google is.

There’s been plenty of chatter since Google went out of their way to purchase dark fibre in January 2005 - and I mentioned the possibility of Google storing user data online months ago.

We’ve even seen a taster in the form of Google Desktop, which sought to store home user files for 30 days - a prospect that caused privacy concerns in itself.

The problem Google has is that it’s increasingly seen to be too interested in acquiring - and storing, and datamining - private user data, whether behavioural, or of actual documents themselves.

A move towards a GDrive will likely see some support - but more likely, it’ll be one more move towards the Tipping Point that sees Google perceived more as a threat to user privacy, than a help.

The fact that Google can accidently release not only it’s own corporate secrets on GDrive, but also a confidential earnings report, are not going to re-assure users that their data can be safely protected by Google.

Added to that, the recent demand by the US Goverment to have access to Google data means that assurances of privacy protection can only be limited indeed.

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