Privacy Issues... Where there's smoke?

[Don Corleone]

Okay, this story touches me on two levels. First, I've recently gotten myself addicted to the Google Earth game in the Gameroom, so in the interest of disclosure, I should admit freely that I'm a big fan.

But I'm also a big fan of privacy and individual liberties. Does one have a right to an expectation of privacy? Does somebody violate your rights when they violate your privacy? At what point is your expectation of privacy realistic or unrealistic?

Apparently, Google Maps/ Google Earth hasn't taken the time/effort to screen people's identities in images they freely broadcast to any who care to look. I guess I have to ask is this really a violation of somebody's privacy? I haven't formed an opinion, I'm curious about what the Org has to say on this....

[KukriKhan]

As you know, I play too.

Does one have a right to an expectation of privacy?

I think that depends on the environment. On the internet environment, "no', I think, is the answer. This is essentially a party line. Anything one types should be couched in terms likely to appear in tommorrow's New York Times lede.

However, rookies to the 'net should be sternly warned that that's true, I think, the concept of 'partyline' not being contemporary for those under 50.

Specifically, in the case of google logging and retaining personally-identifiable info vis-a-viz search phrases (see this thread), I don't like it.

[KafirChobee]

You jest? Google turned over, er allowed all contacts through them to be passed on to the NSA - and does. So, every favorite a person has selected, every posting, every site frequented, etc. are already known by the NSA. It's part of their fussion (or is it fusing?) net to find potential terrorists, subversives, or what ever.

Privacy? On the net? You jest.

[Lord Winter]

You jest? Google turned over, er allowed all contacts through them to be passed on to the NSA - and does. So, every favorite a person has selected, every posting, every site frequented, etc. are already known by the NSA. It's part of their fussion (or is it fusing?) net to find potential terrorists, subversives, or what ever.

Privacy? On the net? You jest.

Source? I've heard the opposite

[naut]

Same I heard Google resused and Yahoo accepted to hand over search data.

[Husar]

I don't know, so far I've got nothing to hide, I make testeless bad jokes all the time.
Life in prison is for free.

Then again, I do like a certain amount of privacy, since I noticed those cameras in the subway stations here, I sometimes feel like someone is watching me when I change clothes in the gym. They don't have any cameras in the whole gym as far as I know, but somehow that "someone is watching me" sticks. Then again, if someone can see the top of my head on a pixelated satellite photo...
I don't know, as long as I can find a place to secretly pick my nose or scratch my behind.