Google: Microsoft Ad Campaign Is Full of Myths

Google doesn’t want you to believe everything Microsoft is writing about its privacy policies — especially not in the ads for alternative Microsoft products set to appear in major newspapers.

The search giant published a blog post written by policy manager Betsy Masiello, in hopes of sorting out the myths and facts behind its new privacy policy.

Microsoft, among other sources, have been criticizing Google for its disloyalty to users, acting in favor of its own self-interest. Particularly, accusations have centered around the idea that Google sells users’ private information to advertisers.

The post seeks to dispel seven “myths” about Google’s alleged privacy issues. While Masiello doesn’t outright say the post is a response to Microsoft, five of the seven myths are sourced to Wednesday morning’s Microsoft post.

Here are the seven statements Google makes to respond to what’s been said on the web:

• Google does not, as Fairsearch wrote, sell user information. Advertisers buy ads that match keywords, based on anonymous data.
• Google’s privacy controls have not changed, as Microsoft wrote they had.
• Google’s privacy changes are meant to benefit users not advertisers, as Microsoft wrote.
• Google doesn’t read your email, as Microsoft wrote.
• Google’s apps are safe and government-certified, unlike what Microsoft wrote.
• Google’s privacy changes don’t jeopardize government information, as SafeGov.org wrote.
• Google disagrees with Microsoft‘s statement that Microsoft’s privacy policy is superior to Google’s.

Are you satisfied with Google’s response or do you feel as if your private information is in jeopardy? Let us know in the comments.

Posted in: Google,Microsoft