Two years ago, Google launched its own version of Facebook, a social network it called Google+. Along with the detailed descriptions for the characteristics that Google+ offers, there was also a brief hint at what Google intended to do: "We want to include you, your relationships and your interests in Google Chrome improvements," the company said at the time.
Today it was very clear what Google thought.
Google announced on Friday that it will start displaying pictures, user names and comments on their ads. Ratings, reviews, relationships, comments, publications, and other information from our activity on Google's websites, such as Google+ and YouTube, will be served in the company's ads. The company says
Updating the Terms of Service
October 11 2013
We are about to update Google's Terms of Service. The new Terms of Service will be published on 11 November 2013 and you can read them here. Because most of you dislike strictly legal formalities, follow a summary of the changes in plain English for your convenience.
The following three changes were made:
- Πρώτον, η διευκρίνιση του τρόπου εμφάνισης του ονόματος προφίλ σας και της φωτογραφίας σας στα προϊόντα της Google (περιλαμβανομένων των αξιολογήσεων, του διαφημιστικού και άλλου εμπορικού περιεχομένου).Δεύτερον, μια υπενθύμιση για την safe use of your mobile devices.
- You can check if your photo and name will appear in ads through set up shared permissions.
- Third, details on the importance of keeping your password confidential.
Google is almost the first company to try to show ads with our faces, in an effort to make its offers more attractive. In 2011, Facebook introduced "Sponsored Stories", a controversial type of advertising that allows brands to use a site member's name and photo in their friends' timelines. This form of advertising generated several hundred million dollars between 2011 and mid-2012, so Facebook decided to introduce it by ensuring that it is legally okay. Last August, Facebook attempted to update the terms of the company 's privacy policy in a way that effectively allowed Facebook to systematically use Facebook images and usernames for commercial advertising without their consent. The Federal Trade Commission is currently considering the proposed changes.
[ads2] Unlike Facebook's Sponsored Stories, Google will allow its members to opt out of appearing in its digital ads. (Changes will go live on November 11th). According to New York Times, the terms of service update will affect not only the 190 million users who are active on Google+, but also the 390 million people who use the social network indirectly from other Google sites, such as YouTube. Let's remember that when Google+ was launched, Google criticized Facebook for underestimating the concept of "friend" since it used the categorization in acquaintances, colleagues and close friends. "Online services have turned friendship into fast food" said Google in 2011. Only today, Google (and Facebook), are transforming friendship into an effective advertising delivery mechanism.
