If you think that, you haven't understood exactly what DDG's competitive advantages are. I for example am using DDG because I got fed up with Google collecting data on me to sell to advertisers. If Google copies that one they lose a bucket load of money...
Now maybe you want to make the argument that I'm a "confused user who isn't really sure how privacy works" - I would disagree, but it really doesn't matter as long as I have the perception that my private data is being sold off to the highest bidder and I choose to do something about it.
> I got fed up with Google collecting data on me to sell to advertisers
Sign up to any of their ad programs, become an advertiser yourself. Anyone can do this. Then try to "buy" this so called data they're collecting and selling. You can't, because there's no such thing. This myth of Google or Facebook selling your information to advertisers is really silly and very easy to debunk it yourself if you really want to. These are spread by either sensationalist tech bloggers who barely understand technology or by FUD'ers who make money off spreading this, such as DDG (who explicitly points this on their website).
> but it really doesn't matter as long as I have the perception that my private data is being sold off to the highest bidder and I choose to do something about it.
My argument is that you're a minority, which would make little difference if people like you could opt out (just like you already can opt out of social search).
And also that their model is not completely dependent on it. Google can still sell you ads if you're anonymous. Try google searching in incognito mode, you still see ads, Google can still profit off you. Their model won't magically disintegrate if an insignificant portion of their user base decides to opt out of cookies.
> Sign up to any of their ad programs, become an advertiser yourself. Anyone can do this. Then try to "buy" this so called data they're collecting and selling. You can't, because there's no such thing
Ahhh, now I'm starting suspect that you are the person that doesn't understand privacy concerns... Here's a description from Google's own page describing one of their services:
"With interest categories, you can reach people based on their interests and demographics. You can find interested customers, such as sports enthusiasts, and show them relevant ads as they browse sites across the Google Display Network."
Interesting. So, say I'm a fundamentalist Christian, and I don't want to rent my apartment to one of those icky atheists. Easy, I choose to only advertise to people that visit Christian themed websites. Awesome! Trouble is, atheists are now being discriminated against, without any chance of ever being able to prove it - gee thanks Google!
Yes, you are right, Google does not give out my personal info with my name attached to it. But the data does leak out and can have a nefarious real-world effect. I'd just as much rather that using a search engine doesn't open me up to that sort of thing.
Your example is really reaching far in order to prove some "nefarious" effect, as you put it. In order to make the case for some weird "ad-based discrimination" you've put yourself in the role of the ad-space owner AND the ad buyer which really doesn't make any sense. It's in the interest of ad buyers to show their ads on websites that relate to their product, plain and simple. I'd say that the initial assessment of you being a "confused user who isn't really sure how privacy works" is proving to be quite accurate.
Comments
If you think that, you haven't understood exactly what DDG's competitive advantages are. I for example am using DDG because I got fed up with Google collecting data on me to sell to advertisers. If Google copies that one they lose a bucket load of money...
Now maybe you want to make the argument that I'm a "confused user who isn't really sure how privacy works" - I would disagree, but it really doesn't matter as long as I have the perception that my private data is being sold off to the highest bidder and I choose to do something about it.
> I got fed up with Google collecting data on me to sell to advertisers
Sign up to any of their ad programs, become an advertiser yourself. Anyone can do this. Then try to "buy" this so called data they're collecting and selling. You can't, because there's no such thing. This myth of Google or Facebook selling your information to advertisers is really silly and very easy to debunk it yourself if you really want to. These are spread by either sensationalist tech bloggers who barely understand technology or by FUD'ers who make money off spreading this, such as DDG (who explicitly points this on their website).
> but it really doesn't matter as long as I have the perception that my private data is being sold off to the highest bidder and I choose to do something about it.
My argument is that you're a minority, which would make little difference if people like you could opt out (just like you already can opt out of social search).
And also that their model is not completely dependent on it. Google can still sell you ads if you're anonymous. Try google searching in incognito mode, you still see ads, Google can still profit off you. Their model won't magically disintegrate if an insignificant portion of their user base decides to opt out of cookies.
> Sign up to any of their ad programs, become an advertiser yourself. Anyone can do this. Then try to "buy" this so called data they're collecting and selling. You can't, because there's no such thing
Ahhh, now I'm starting suspect that you are the person that doesn't understand privacy concerns... Here's a description from Google's own page describing one of their services: "With interest categories, you can reach people based on their interests and demographics. You can find interested customers, such as sports enthusiasts, and show them relevant ads as they browse sites across the Google Display Network."
Interesting. So, say I'm a fundamentalist Christian, and I don't want to rent my apartment to one of those icky atheists. Easy, I choose to only advertise to people that visit Christian themed websites. Awesome! Trouble is, atheists are now being discriminated against, without any chance of ever being able to prove it - gee thanks Google!
Yes, you are right, Google does not give out my personal info with my name attached to it. But the data does leak out and can have a nefarious real-world effect. I'd just as much rather that using a search engine doesn't open me up to that sort of thing.
Your example is really reaching far in order to prove some "nefarious" effect, as you put it. In order to make the case for some weird "ad-based discrimination" you've put yourself in the role of the ad-space owner AND the ad buyer which really doesn't make any sense. It's in the interest of ad buyers to show their ads on websites that relate to their product, plain and simple. I'd say that the initial assessment of you being a "confused user who isn't really sure how privacy works" is proving to be quite accurate.