Dr Google goes online
p2pnet news | Advertising:- Guess what? America now has a public health service..
And guess who it has to thank?
Google.
“Google Inc. opened a free Web site that manages patients’ medical records online, part of a plan to boost user loyalty by adding new services,” says Bloomberg News.
In truth, it’s just another way for Do No Evil to get its greedy hands on private and personal information so it can reconfigure it to the advantage of advertisers.
“Patients can upload medical records from organizations, enter their own data and search for information on health conditions,” the story has Google’s Marissa Mayer saying.
“Google stores your information securely and privately,” swears Google. “We will never sell your data. You are in control, you choose what you want to share and what you want to keep private.”
Riiiight.
“Americans have come one frightening step closer to having every aspect of their lives, including their most intimate medical details, fall under the venal eyes of Google and other corporate giants,” p2pnet posted when news of this “service” first broke, going on:
“And what’s equally frightening is the fact the corporate media are reporting this as though it’s a genuine service created to help people.”
Because despite all assurances, ‘privacy’ promises, and all the rest of it, once Google has your data, it has your data.
Period.
We went on >>>
“The plans would put Google’s database of health records at the heart of a broader health information system that draws in health insurers, doctors and others, potentially giving the internet company a central role as the health industry moves towards greater use of information technology,” says the Financial Times blandly as though this would be a good thing.
Google has been disingenuously pretending advertising is the last thing on his mind.
However, “Google said it wouldn’t start out selling ads but wouldn’t rule it out,” says USA Today, going on:
“Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, firmly believes ads will happen.”
After all, “Advertisers would pay absurd amounts of money to be seen when someone wants to, say, refill a subscription online,” he says.
“This is more lucrative than commerce-related search.”
When Dr Google initially made its plans public, “We won’t sell or share your data without your explicit permission,” promised Mayer.
“Our privacy policy and practices have been developed in thoughtful collaboration with experts from the Google Health Advisory Council.”
The Google Health Advisory Council?
That’s OK, then,
Unbelievable. But it’ll happen as millions of Americans are sucked into mistakenly believing Dr Google is the answer to their health prayers.
And once it makes this happen in the US, it’ll be looking elsewhere.
First up to cash in on Dr Google are the Walgreen Co, the Cleveland Clinic, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Longs Drug Stores.
.
.Stumble It!
Bloomberg News – Google site to manage health info May 20, 2008
p2pnet – Dr Google – on the way, February 29, 2008
Financial Times – Google reveals plans for health database, February 29, 2008
USA Today – Prognosis is bright for Google`s health records plan, February 28, 2008
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May 21st, 2008 at 9:01 am
Only people not making money out of our data,is us. crazy.
When are the powers that be going to stop this ever happening. When hell freezes over I suppose.