As an online backup service provider I’ve been thinking a lot lately about free or almost free online backup services. What has really prompted me to think about it though are the re-emerging rumors of Google offering Online Backup. I think that if anyone is going to offer free online backup services it would be Google… but is it really free?
Doesn’t this freak anyone out? I mean this is a company whose “mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” as taken from their own website. This seems like a conflicting mission when it comes to data backup. Is it unreasonable to read this as “we will backup your data and make it public” or the more likely case, “we will backup your data, index it, and then serve up ads to you based on what the majority of your data says that you are interested in.”
For example, as an avid canoeist with route maps, meal plans, trip logs and other canoe specific data on my computer am I going to be branded as such and be targeted with ads for canoe/camping related items? If you don’t think this is possible then I have to tell you that I am already targeted for online backup services for some strange reason. If I visit a website (not related to backup) with Google’s ads on it, more often then not I am served up ads about online backup services!
What I find most interesting about this is that the credit card companies and major store chains did something similar to this a couple of years ago and here we are a society that is paranoid about privacy and identity theft. Those that are the most vocal about these evil corporate giants are the ones looking for free online backup and exposing themselves (literally) to risk.
Is this a bash against Google and a service that is still only a rumor? No, it is just a “think about it”. I do know that if Google gets into the online backup business that it will mean some pretty major changes for the industry. I also know that when Google does something they do it well and they fill a niche.
Is anyone else paranoid like I am or am I way off base here? I’d love to know what your thoughts or comments are?
p.s. I’m not the only one – check out Eric’s thoughts on the subject:
Mike Lavender
Owner/CEO of Simply Offsite
Simply Offsite
Simplifying backup since 1998
http://www.simplyoffsite.com
Filed under: Online backup services, computer backup | Tagged: Google, online backup, Online backup services
I think privacy issues are a very big deal when it comes to online backup. When signing up to a free (or very cheap) online backup service, it always pays to think about how the service is funded. After all, they have all your data.
If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of your online backup service provider trawling through your data, then I would suggest you try a service which generates its revenues through a subscription payment system, rather than advertising.
Or you can just encrypt your data before uploading to the backup service. I recommend TrueCrypt.
Well, encrypt before you backup. Although when dealing with the largest agglomeration of number-crunchers this might not be enough…
> For example, as an avid canoeist with route maps, meal
> plans, trip logs and other canoe specific data on my
> computer am I going to be branded as such and be targeted
> with ads for canoe/camping related items?
In and of itself, what’s wrong with that? Isn’t it better to be served the ads you’re interested in? As an avid canoeist would you rather be targeted with ads for feminine hygiene products or canoe/camping related items?
Google: “mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
More accurately, they want your personal information (through free offerings such as Web History, GMail, Calendar, Reader, Google Health, etc) so they can track your ever move and push directed advertisements. Nothing in life has ever been free, so how does Google continue mystifying people with the “free software/services” cover?
Google maintains a one degree of seperation from the likes of Gator, IMO.
Our CEO wrote an article today raising the question as to the possibility of a Google conflict between innovation and privacy.
The crux of the issue is that despite any belief either way, Google is creative enough to make available products so useful that users will employ them even if they are unsure as to which side of this debate they are on.
Kevin
I would absolutly LOVE it if advertisers, such as Google, tailored their ads more to my likings. Like danheretic above said, would you rather Canoe ads or feminine hygiene ads? PLEASE target ads more to my lifestyle!
If I have to see ads, let me see good ones!
Lastly, while I understand your concerns, please remember Google’s company motto: Don’t be evil.
Walt D in LV
Personally, I have nothing to hide except banking and social security info, and this is protected by secure sites. I would like to entertain the idea of online backups and to know how it would work.