When I was talking with a Google product manager last month about privacy issues, he said as long as the company 1) let the users know how it handles private data, 2) be transparent, and 3) be more user-centered in design of the privacy options, there would not be big privacy issues.
Google has its privacy principles as guide to design their online products (also watch the video below). Those five bullet points deliver the messages that Google is using personal information for good use – customized and valuable products and services, Google is following the privacy standards to protect user’s data, and Google is providing options to let user protect his/her privacy.
Comparatively, Microsoft defines their guiding principles as transparency, control, and security.
I believe both companies are doing the right things about privacy. Although I have no idea what is the best way to balance private data and better service, the followings are must-dos to embrace user-centered privacy principles:
- Be transparent. Let the users be aware of their personal data and how the product/service is using the data.
- Be controllable. Let the users have control of their personal data and options to choose whether they would like the company to use the data to do good things.
- Let the privacy principles involved in early stages of product/service design. Design privacy principles, and use them as guide to design.
As more companies are involved in discussion about managing personal data such as Data Privacy Day and really taking efforts on it, I believe a much better awareness and solution of privacy in the future.
{ 3 } Comments
How do pratical concerns like default setting interact with principles?
Should defaults be set to public or private when systems are created, is this system dependent?
@Brian: to me, the most important principle is providing the options to be selective of my personal data sharing. Most of the applications/services have done a good job, for instance, Facebook.
I think should defaults be set to public or private depends on the system as well as the public aweness of priavcy regarding to this system. If we compare Twitter, Facebook, and Google Buzz on status update, by default, Twitter is open to all, Facebook is open to your friends and network, and Google Buzz is open to your contacts.
Even though I am not setting the privacy now, I know the settings are there and I can adjust anytime, that is already okay for me.
I totally agree this opinion. Only when the privacy can meet user requirement, it means the privacy policy does work. Otherwise, there is always space to move ahead. No matter google or other IT companies, they provide service to their clients, client requests are the most important forever.
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