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Why should you use Private search engines instead of Google?

By John DL Arendsen

Real Estate Broker/Owner with CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments 521400, 1501015, 01795582

March 14, 2013 02:47 AM

Why should you use Private search engines instead of Google?

Might we all be feeding right into the hands of "BIG BROTHER"? I'm growing more dubious about Google and other public search engines everyday. I've been hearing a lot of things about their privacy policies that arouse concern. The links below are but two examples of many I've been reading and hearing about recently.

http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/01/25/google-tracking-expands-threatens-privacy/

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2006/02/goog-f14.html

I recently watched an interview on TV suggesting that people who use the Internet start using private search engines that don't store or track any of your personal information, habits, buying trends, etc. The link below expands on that.

http://www.givememind.com/private-search-engines-why-you-should-use-them-instead-of-google/

I don't want to copy and paste anything written by others so I'm only providing links but I do recommend you take a few moments to peruse them. Call me paranoid but I've just been reading to many posts and articles recently about copyright infringements and other online Internet threats that can haunt folks who use that big I in the sky.

I'm well aware that blogging platforms like AR, Trulia, Zillow and myriad other open forums depend on their SEO and website presence through that sacred and coveted "Google Juice". Our positioning and ranking on searches depends on it. But where could this all end up?

Your thoughts, opinions and insights are appreciated

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Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

John, I don't think we have any idea how far this will go or the repercussions. Google is doing things behind the scenes that will purely benefit them and their kingdom. How much we choose to give away now could come back to bite us.

Mar 14, 2013 02:52 AM

Wayne Johnson

Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX

San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

John-I've learned that "free" is not always free. Data mining is very lucrative and while some of it does provide a service and help marketers give searchers relevant information, it's kind of easy to see how some information could be used for bad purposes. I like the idea of private search engines. But then how does a consumer know the private search engine is being handled in the correct way?

Mar 14, 2013 02:54 AM

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate

Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

One of the many reasons that Google has forced everyone into "Google Accounts". YouTube, your Email, your online Social Life via Google+, is all tied together. That, coupled with a Google / Android telephone, and they know everything there is to know about you.

Also frightening is that Google CEO Eric Schmidt has a close relationship with Obama. Schmidt has had one-on-one meetings behind Closed Doors in the Oval Office with Obama.

Mar 14, 2013 04:09 AM

Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker

Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX

Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!

There's a huge NSA "spy" computer system being built in Arizona I think that will soon monitor ALL emails, text, phone calls etc... Virtually every piece of communication in America. Soon there will be no escape no matter what medium you use.

Mar 14, 2013 07:49 AM

John DL Arendsen

CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA

Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

Debbie, if what Fred has stated is indeed true I think (without over politicising) we already know where this is ending up in the immediate future. But to play a little what if, what if these search engines continue falling into the wrong hands i.e. hackers, cyber enemies, cyber terrorism, etc. I'm not trying to be an alarmest but there's all kinds of crazy things happening in the cyber world as I wright. It's really pretty scary.

Mar 14, 2013 11:34 AM

Wayne, Spot on. How do we know whether or not we can actually trust any I forum? The I is the I and open and indelible for all to see forever as far as I'm concerned. How do we define private on something as public as the I?

Mar 14, 2013 11:39 AM

Fred, Not to get into politicizing this but regardless of who's in government or at what level this is really scary stuff. But when the president of the United States is having closed door sessions with the CEO of Google that's just plain creepy. It's not only what the President could do with a Birdseye view into all our private lives while he's in office. It's even more frightening what he/she could do whence out of office. I really appreciate your very keen insight and astute feedback.

Mar 14, 2013 11:46 AM

Jeanne and Ralph, can you give us more information about this? This is really scary stuff. I can't believe just how close to Big Brother we're getting. The really scary thing is for all of our info falling into our enemies hands. What's to keep China, Russia, our Middle Eastern enemies, etc. who have already successfully been hacking into some of our most vital and important National security, financial and defense data bases from hacking right inot our living rooms?

Mar 14, 2013 11:52 AM

Why should you use Private search engines instead of Google?

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