Google is watching you

Online privacy is one of the most controversial subjects facing Search Engine Giants such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Live! Search.

The BBC reports today that the European Commission advisory body on data protection has advised these web giants to delete their users’ personal data after a period of six months.

This decision is likely to be supported by local governments within the E.U., as well as protection rights movements and users in general. Currently, the period for deleting personal data is of :

- 18 months for Google and Yahoo
- 13 months for MSN

Google argues it was the first to come up with the concept of anonymising consumer data after a certain period of time. Google adds that they take online privacy very seriously and that this issue is at the heart of their products.

This decision would come at a strategic point at which giant online firms are competing for the biggest shares of the market. With Microsoft likely to acquire Yahoo in the next few months, this decision would put a strain on how long the users’ information can actually be used for marketing purposes.

Of course in terms of online SEM this would inevitably have quite an impact, especially since social networks are starting to gain popularity in terms of advertising, by their ability to target users according to other factors than their location and searching habits.

(to be continued…)