Google launches Dashboard to help counter privacy concerns

Internet giant Google yesterday launched a new feature designed to inform users about how much information the company has recorded about them when using its online services.

The “Google Dashboard” collects a summary of a user’s Google account files, including Gmail, Google Docs and photographs from Picasa, and allows that user to control all their privacy settings for every feature in the one place.

Software engineer Alma Whitten said in a company blog post the Dashboard will help users identify what data is being tracked by Google through different programs.

“Designed to be simple and useful, the Dashboard summarizes data for each product that you use (when signed in to your account) and provides you direct links to control your personal settings.”

“Today, the Dashboard covers more than 20 products and services, including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Web History, Orkut, YouTube, Picasa, Talk, Reader, Alerts, Latitude and many more. The scale and level of detail of the Dashboard is unprecedented, and we’re delighted to be the first internet company to offer this – and we hope it will become the standard.”

Users can now review and delete Google searches, view recently opened and edited documents, and track movements on Google-related sites including YouTube.

The Dashboard also allows users to view activity in Google products including Calendar, Blogger, iGoogle, Reader, Shopping List, Picasa and Contacts.

Data included in the Dashboard can be indexed in a number of different ways. Users can see how many emails are in their inbox, recent subject lines, appointments on calendars. Detailed data for each individual product is also available if requested.

The move comes after Google has been accused by some internet rights groups for infringing on users’ privacy by tracking their movements without consent or knowledge.

But while American advocacy group Consumer Watchdog says Google’s Dashboard is a good first step, it doesn’t go far enough.

“If Google really wanted to give users control over their privacy it would give consumers the ability to be anonymous from the company and its advertisers in crucial areas such as search data and online behavior,” spokesman John Simpson said on the group’s website.

Mashable.com blogger Stan Schroeder also questioned the relevance of the new product, suggesting it had all been done before.

“Sure, it’s nice to have all these in one place, should you ever want to review all your private information stored at Google at once, but there’s nothing really new about this list. Unfortunately, it’s also an unpleasant reminder of just how much data you’re giving out to Google.”

“Dashboard leaves Google in the prime position of being able to honestly say that it doesn’t control user data, while still delivering increasingly beneficial services based on that data,” Matt Asay from CNET wrote.

“It will not change the way that the vast majority of consumers use Google, but it just might change the way they think about Google.”