I read this bit of
news earlier today. Google is allowing
the government to read our emails and blogs without a warrant or probable
cause. I knew that Google saves and
archives every form of communication that uses any of their services. That
includes their telephone service Google
Voice, document storage in Google Drive and our personal blogs here on Blogger. This makes me a bit nervous. But it gets even worse. Google reported this week that they had
13,753 requests from local, state and federal government agencies to access and
read some of the Google communications. The request involved 31,072
users, a drop in the bucket compared to the 425 million people who use
Goggle. But still it's something to think about.
I know this is all
part of national security, and the government probably wouldn't be interested
in my ramblings or what I had for supper, but it's the whole idea that it could
lead to further abuse from our own government.
The author of this
article then went on to say:
"Therefore, be
warned that if you use any of Google’s services and you don’t want the
government knowing what you are saying or doing, then find another means of
communication. However, that other means is probably in the same boat
Google is, so best to talk face-to-face or not at all if you are concerned
about anyone else knowing."
On a personal note,
we are under another winter storm advisory. The weather people are
predicting a half inch accumulation of ice from freezing rain by Tuesday
evening which could bring down tree limbs and power lines. Bob and I don't take
these warnings lightly. We went out to the grocery store this afternoon and
stocked up on the things we were low on. We have a gas fireplace, so we will
have heat. I'll get both of our Kindles
and the cell phones charged and I have candles. We have propane for the grill
and plenty of coffee for the camp stove coffee pot, so whatever the weather, we
should be ok.
Until later…
have a good Monday.
Hi Carol! Sure hope this finds you with power, and that you are safe from the ice storm. I remember when I had to read (high school) George Orwell's '1984' and thought "big brother" could never happen. Ha.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good thing that I don't say or do anything my government would be interested in, so Google away Big Brother...have at it! Hope your Monday is a good one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information on Google. I'm with you, I'm sure they're not interested in my daily doings, but the thought is disturbing.
ReplyDeleteI hope the storm isn't too awful for you - glad you are making preparations just in case.
"big brother is watching us" is getting more and more realistic, isn't it? It is frightening to learn how our privacy gets invaded, little by little... I know, if you are a good citizen it doesn't make a difference, but still, I don't like the idea either.
ReplyDeleteYou seem well prepared for the storm, I hope all went well.