Comments on: Is Google Analytics Illegal?

By: Michael Knorr

Michael Knorr — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:59:43 +0000

The biggest issue with the internet has always been privacy. There is most definitely a fine line that Google Analytics and any other web analytic programs must follow, but Google analytics is necessary for the company I work for. Our PPC and SEO firm depend upon the information gathered. I honestly believe it will all blow over. Everyone wants to try and get a little bit of deserved money.

By: Brian Stone

Brian Stone — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:32:08 +0000

I'm just getting around to reading this. I remember seeing the email title though. I was just reading the other post about the FTC. I figured it was time to get all the details on that, so I can get my sites compliant. I was going to comment there but they've been closed.

I'm also going thru emails today trying to unsubscribe from a few, but after reading some good stuff on here, I guess I'll have to keep this one. B)>

By: Svet

Svet — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:43:42 +0000

I believe it. Site and user tracking is just the next progressive step. Google has a knack for collecting and storing any and all data. The power is still in the information. I believe it actually started with gmail. "Never have to delete anything"! I wonder if they feed HomeLandSecurity with the data?

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:06:00 +0000

This is what happen when you are too big or too well known, someone will try to bring down for no other reason.

By: Mark E Thurston

Mark E Thurston — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:33:49 +0000

I remember when the net was still a young pup and I was an assistant at a P2P computer help forum. (Which actually started as an MSN group in 1999). Back then there was no Google. But there was tracking. Usually using a clear 1x1 pixel gif in the ad or whatever.

Since we would get PITAs occasionally, we would use almost any remotely hosted image, clear or otherwise, to track IPs of idiots. Now that it is a forum on it's own hosting, no need to do that as the server logs keep track of all that anyway, with or without Google's analytics. (And with or without cookies enabled.)

I wonder who is subject to the penalty? The user for loading a site with analytics? It certainly cannot be the site owner that uses them unless they happen to be in Germany.

Hmmm...

By: Forest

Forest — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:51:03 +0000

Wow this is quite a bold move! I feel like the German government is just picking on Google as they don't want them to monopolize the market... Like they already have!

I guess it just means that German businesses move to another stats tracker for the time being.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:54:15 +0000

Google gets the Google Slap in Germany-too funny! Nice to know they are not too big to get slapped back once in a while-keeps them humble. There is no competition for the Big G-and they cannot control the world's internet which they already dominate, not a healthy competitive field.

By: Peter Jordan

Peter Jordan — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:52:36 +0000

The German government has vowed to outlaw two of society's most powerful religions:
Scientology and Google Analytics.

Amazing!!

Thanks for this newsflash!

I luv your zine!!

By: Chris Lockwood

Chris Lockwood — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:36:04 +0000

Does Google Analytics reveal anything that you couldn't find in your server logs? I doubt it.

It sounds like the German gov't is clueless about technology (no surprise), but since I'm in the US I'm not going to worry about this at all.

By: Renee Benzaim

Renee Benzaim — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:35:13 +0000

I read in the article from Germany that ". . . Google Analytics requires all sites that use it to disclose this on their privacy policies and users can choose to reject the cookies it sends via their web browser. . ." I've never heard this before. Is this just for EU websites?