Google’s Approach to Privacy Issues

"If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place."

— Google CEO Eric Schmidt

Do we have to make the need for privacy a filthy thing?

Eric Schmidt is one of the sharpest technology CEOs. He brings a calm and measured approach to managing the turbulence in technology industry. But Mr. Schmidt is not my pastor and I don't expect a moral sermon from him on my need for privacy and confidentiality. Recently, I was watching Maria Bartiromo interview Eric Schmidt on CNBC, when I heard Eric Schmidt make this comment after explaining Google's approach to privacy.

Let's do some thought experiments:

1. An employee is diagnosed with cancer and her search pattern reveals her identify, likely diagnosis and related concerns. Should her employer and colleagues know about it before she is ready to announce it?
   
2. One Mr. Eric does not want anyone to know about the church he attends. However, his search for directions reveals the church he attends. Should his search pattern related his church remain confidential as he desires?
   
3. A drug-addict decides to transform her life. Her search pattern reveals her identify and her addiction. Do we want this information to remain private to her?
   

There are some complex issues here:

1. Do people realize that when they do a Google-search, they are sharing their private information with a very large corporation?
   
2. Do people realize that Google mines this data and the pattern of their search not only reveals their identity but also their personal matters and concerns, which normally they would not share with anyone else?
   
3. Do people retain their right to the ownership of their private information after they have shared it with Google? US courts say no!
   
4. Do people realize that no search warrant to access their private information is required by a Government agency, if such information is obtained through a third-party like Google?
   

Eric Schmidt realizes that the strategic issues that Google is facing are intertwined with significant moral issues related to people's privacy. But do we have to conveniently make the need for privacy a filthy thing?