Google wants your help to make them better, but at what cost?
If Google paid you, so they could monitor your online activity, would you do it?
Screenwise
It’s called Screenwise, and as of a week ago, Google was giving up to $25 in gift cards for those who volunteered.
This “panel” of volunteers would be helping Google learn more about how “everyday people use the Internet.”
This from Google:
The panel – called Screenwise – is similar to those used by many market research companies. This panel is designed to help us understand web usage better – such as what times of day people browse, how long they stay on websites and what types of sites are popular (or not). As a Screenwise Internet Trends panelist, you’ll add a browser extension that will share with Google the sites you visit and how you use them. What we learn from you, and others like you, will help us improve Google products and services and make a better online experience for everyone.
Here’s how it worked:
- Knowledge Networks gives volunteers a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card code instantly when becoming Screenwise Internet Trends panelist.
- Then, they get an additional $5 Amazon.com Gift Card code every three months for staying with it, capping-off at a total of $25.
Google’s was surprised by the response:
Wow! Over 8,000 +1s and many more applications! We appreciate and are overwhelmed by your interest. Unfortunately, we have more applications than expected and only a limited number of people will be selected for the research panel.
Would you have volunteered?
What’s online anonymity worth to you?
Ryan says
Google could have gathered 3/4 of that information anyway through Analytics, Search, and the rest of their services. It’s still not a breach of privacy in my opinion because they aren’t linking any of the information to any one person, just aggregating for trends. Except that this way people are very conscious of it and awarded for it. I bet this move wasn’t so much to get information they couldn’t otherwise – I bet it was primarily a public relations move to convey that they care about privacy.
Eric Dye says
Meh. Maybe.
Matt says
Actually, if you bothered to read the privacy policy, it says “Google may share aggregated Panel Data with third parties. Generally, aggregated Panel Data will not be linked to individual Panelists. However, Google may share anonymized individual-level Panelist data with academic research institutions. Google will attempt to remove personally identifiable information before sharing Panel Data with third parties. Since personally identifiable information Panelists input while browsing the Internet might display in a URL or other data, such information could be in Panel Data that is shared with third parties . Google also will share with KN certain data about Panelist activity levels for SWP management purposes.”
It also can read all data you enter, even those on “secure” sites.
Browsing Data
-All URL addresses from any website that uses HTTP or HTTPS (a website is using HTTP or HTTPS if its URL (address) begins with http:// or http://)
-Information you input while visiting a website may be included in the URL data, so Panel Data may include personally identifiable information.
-The Panelist’s Google account information
-Search terms and queries contained within URL addresses, which may include personally identifiable information
-Cookies that are placed on any Panelist device or browser
Operating System Data
-The device’s operating system (e.g. iOS, Windows, etc.)
-Internet browser being used (e.g. Chrome, etc.)
Google will receive from KN the Survey Data Panelists will provide to KN, indicating a Panelist’s demographic attributes and responses to consumer surveys. Survey Data includes: unique panelist ID; panelist age; panelist gender; household location; and panelist responses to consumer surveys KN will conduct regarding habits, preferences, and other attributes.