Free Apps, Privacy and 'Doing No Evil'

From the you've got to be kidding file:

In addressing privateness concerns raised by those folks who don't necessarily desire their word processing software system sifting their communication theory and coverage to a server, Microsoft merchandise director Genus Melissa Stern said the recently announced freebee Plant 9 selenium won't scan content for advertisement keywords.

Stern states PCMag.com:

"We're serving relevant advertisements about what we cognize about Plant users. We're not looking at content at all."

...what we cognize about Plant users. Like what? That they bought a inexpensive personal computer with Plant pre-installed on it?

Certainly, I can understand where Microsoft is coming from here - after the flak catcher it's gotten over programmes like WGA, it desires to maneuver clear of any hint that it's installing software system on people's machines that is reporting personal information back to Redmond.

But online adverting is all about context, and that agency scanning content for keywords. When you acquire a message at Gmail, remainder assured that Google have thoroughly scanned that message to drive advertisement placement. Of course, the whole message is stored on Google's servers, so Iodine say a small further scanning isn't going to compromise the trust consumers look to have got in the hunt giant to carry through its creed to "do no evil."

I conceive of that future loops of Google Apps will more completely encompass AdWords, as well. Otherwise, Google won’t do money off it. The new Plant 9 selenium - which Microsoft is offering as an option to OEMs and not directly to consumers - is slightly different. In fact, it's a difficult put in and not a Web-based app.

But then again, most perceivers hold that running offline is a cardinal factor for consumption for Google Apps as well. I'll be interested in seeing how vigorously this privateness concern over scanning memoes and presentation doctors plays out when the bad cat isn't Microsoft.