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Welcome to Part 2 of my blog series about Google. If you have not<\/strong> read my first post, I’d recommend reading<\/strong> Google: Friend or Foe Part 1<\/a> before continuing.\u00a0Part 2 builds on the foundation of my previous post<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n When an organization\u2019s stated mission is to \u201corganize the world\u2019s information\u201d, we know that based on what Google does with information tells us more about the purpose. Information shapes thought. Thought and beliefs drive behavior. Therefore, I submit that Google is shaping thoughts of billions of people and by extension, driving behavior. But, to what end?<\/p>\n YouTube, AdSense, FitBit, Nest, DoubleClick and over 200 others are not the end of Google\u2019s reach<\/strong>. Google is a major stake holder and data repository for genetics-testing company 23andMe. Seems harmless enough. However, 23andMe is partnered with big pharma drug giant Gloxo-Smith-Kline for research into disease using data collected. Most 23andMe customers are unaware of this. [source link]<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIn its filing, Google also noted that Anne Wojcicki is a co-founder of 23andMe and is a member of the board of directors. Wojcicki is married to Sergey Brin, Google\u2019s president of technology and company co-founder.\u00a0The search giant also outlined other intertwined relationships beyond Brin and Wojcicki:\u00a0Sergey also holds approximately 35 percent of Google\u2019s Class B common stock. Prior to Google\u2019s investment in 23andMe, Sergey provided approximately $2.6 million in interim debt financing to 23andMe\u2026\u201d [source link]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In other words, Google is interested in genetic data on millions of people. That\u2019s of interest to me.<\/p>\n On the home front, Google\u2019s purchase of Nest is an interesting play. Nest is well known for their \u2018smart\u2019 thermostats and \u2018user-friendly\u2019 security camera systems for homes and businesses. What is not so well known is Google placing microphones on their in-home \u2018smart\u2019 thermostats. Apparently, Nest \u2018forgot\u2019 to include the one feature most people concerned about privacy care about on their product feature list for in-home thermostats – a microphone<\/strong>. [source link<\/a>]<\/p>\n Of course, there is Google Home<\/strong>, a virtual assistant similar to Amazon\u2019s Alexa and Apple\u2019s Siri. \u00a0These devices are constantly monitoring or ‘listening’.<\/p>\n Additionally, Google has filed a few interesting patents. Perhaps, \u2018invasive\u2019 is a better descriptor. These new technologies use artificial intelligence (AI)<\/strong> to analyze other technologies inside the home, clothing, chemicals and even voices in your home. [source link<\/a>]<\/p>\n Google made inroads into the smart phone market. It\u2019s Android<\/strong> mobile operating system has dominated the mobile market. Its devices are cheap and come loaded with Google apps. The Android operating system is collecting data on users who may not use Google\u2019s other products or platforms. There are 2 Billion Android users worldwide as of 2017. [source link<\/a>]<\/p>\n Google also launched it\u2019s Google ChromeBook<\/strong>, cloud-based personal computing hardware. It\u2019s also very cheap but you’re locked into Google\u2019s offerings with the device. The key to understand its growing pervasiveness in schools is knowing that the low price-point is a strategy to gain marketshare and essentially aimed at data collection. If a child is forced by his school to use a Google ChromeBook, he is being groomed to grant access to his data to a tech giant for life. How will that data be used?<\/p>\n Google is being sued in New Mexico for collecting and misusing data on children who are required to use ChromeBooks<\/strong> in schools. [source link<\/a>]<\/p>\n The growing \u2018tech in the classroom\u2019 or \u201cedtech<\/strong>\u201d industry is worth BILLIONS of dollars. So, there is a huge push by big tech to cram as much technology as possible into classrooms and homes in the name of \u201cbetter education.\u201d There\u2019s little to no research supporting the pervasive use of tech in the classroom is beneficial. In fact studies are proving that \u201cthe digital interface does not stimulate the brain as well as an analog interface. Off-loading the cognitive effort that makes critical brain connections stronger is like paying someone else to do your exercise for you.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Remember, this is a profit-centered approach, not a student-centered approach.<\/p>\n \u201cIn places such as Hot Springs, Va., Alphabet Inc.\u2019s Google has wired school buses, turning them into rolling study halls for students with long commutes and sometimes patchy or nonexistent Wi-Fi at home. Google says the program, a pilot which is in 15 school districts in 13 states, will be funded at least through the end of this school year.\u201d [source link<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Google Maps<\/strong> was the best free mobile GPS system available\u2026 until Waze<\/strong> was introduced and began giving Google Maps a run for their money. Google acquired Waze for nearly a $1 Billion before Apple or another competitor could buy them. [source link]<\/a><\/p>\n All of this and more on top of the world\u2019s most powerful search engine and email client used (Gmail<\/strong>)\u00a0[source link<\/a>]. \u00a0While most know that Google stores personal data related to search, few are aware that Google is collecting data from Gmail accounts. [source link<\/a>]<\/p>\n Google Docs is popular for document storage and search capabilities.\u00a0Google Photos platform receives 1.4 Billion uploads per day by users.\u00a0Let’s not forget Google Fiber (broadband internet and IPTV).<\/p>\n Google may have begun with good intentions but as I have demonstrated they have followed a path of bad actions that are a cause for concern.<\/p>\n BTW. None of this has gone unnoticed by the Feds, the U.S. Department of Justice has ramped up it\u2019s investigation into this tech behemoth. [source link<\/a>]<\/p>\n Why do companies like Google and Facebook offer their products for free or cheap? \u00a0Because their surveillance business model turns the user into the “product” they can sell. \u00a0Google and Facebook are in the ‘Digital Human data-trafficking” business. \u00a0They manipulate people and sell the digital profiles of billions of people. \u00a0They surveil you and sell everything they know about you to the highest bidder … and you let them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In my next post, we’ll talk about the type of threat companies like Google pose and what can we do about it. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Read Part 3 Google: Friend or Foe<\/a><\/p>\n Reference note:<\/strong> Much of my interest and research in this section was initiated from a podcast of the Bill Walton Show E<\/em>pisode 63: Part 2- The Power to Re-engineer Humanity<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Read previous post: Google: Friend or Foe – Part 1<\/a> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I think the best way to understand \u201cWhat Google is actually doing\u201d is to see Google is in the “thought-shaping\u201d business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Welcome to Part 2 of my blog series about Google. If you have not<\/strong> read my first post, I'd recommend reading<\/strong> Google: Friend or Foe Part 1<\/a> before continuing.\u00a0Part 2 builds on the foundation of my previous post<\/a>.<\/em>\r\nI think the best way to understand \u201cWhat Google is actually doing?\u201d is to see that \u00a0Google is in the “thought-shaping\u201d and digital human data-trafficking<\/strong> business.<\/h1>\n
What is Google actually doing?<\/h1>\n
\n
Google surveillance in your home<\/h1>\n
Google surveillance at your child’s school<\/h1>\n
Google surveillance on the school bus?<\/h1>\n
\n
Google surveilling your location, email, documents, photos and network<\/h1>\n
Are you starting to see a pattern? A good detective identifies behavior patterns. Patterns lead to evidence.<\/h1>\n
\n
If you wish to subscribe to this blog, please sign-up here<\/a>. Every time I post something new, you will receive an email.<\/p>\nI think the best way to understand \u201cWhat Google is actually doing?\u201d is to see that \u00a0Google is in the \"thought-shaping\u201d and digital human data-trafficking<\/strong> business.<\/h1>\r\nWhen an organization\u2019s stated mission is to \u201corganize the world\u2019s information\u201d, we know that based on what Google does with information tells us more about the purpose. Information shapes thought. Thought and beliefs drive behavior. Therefore, I submit that Google is shaping thoughts of billions of people and by extension, driving behavior. But, to what end?\r\n
What is Google actually doing?<\/h1>\r\nYouTube, AdSense, FitBit, Nest, DoubleClick and over 200 others are not the end of Google\u2019s reach<\/strong>. Google is a major stake holder and data repository for genetics-testing company 23andMe. Seems harmless enough. However, 23andMe is partnered with big pharma drug giant Gloxo-Smith-Kline for research into disease using data collected. Most 23andMe customers are unaware of this. [source link]<\/a>\r\n
\u201cIn its filing, Google also noted that Anne Wojcicki is a co-founder of 23andMe and is a member of the board of directors. Wojcicki is married to Sergey Brin, Google\u2019s president of technology and company co-founder.\u00a0The search giant also outlined other intertwined relationships beyond Brin and Wojcicki:\u00a0Sergey also holds approximately 35 percent of Google\u2019s Class B common stock. Prior to Google\u2019s investment in 23andMe, Sergey provided approximately $2.6 million in interim debt financing to 23andMe\u2026\u201d [source link]<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\nIn other words, Google is interested in genetic data on millions of people. That\u2019s of interest to me.\r\n
Google surveillance in your home<\/h1>\r\nOn the home front, Google\u2019s purchase of Nest is an interesting play. Nest is well known for their \u2018smart\u2019 thermostats and \u2018user-friendly\u2019 security camera systems for homes and businesses. What is not so well known is Google placing microphones on their in-home \u2018smart\u2019 thermostats. Apparently, Nest \u2018forgot\u2019 to include the one feature most people concerned about privacy care about on their product feature list for in-home thermostats - a microphone<\/strong>. [source link<\/a>]\r\n\r\nOf course, there is Google Home<\/strong>, a virtual assistant similar to Amazon\u2019s Alexa and Apple\u2019s Siri. \u00a0These devices are constantly monitoring or 'listening'.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, Google has filed a few interesting patents. Perhaps, \u2018invasive\u2019 is a better descriptor. These new technologies use artificial intelligence (AI)<\/strong> to analyze other technologies inside the home, clothing, chemicals and even voices in your home. [source link<\/a>]\r\n\r\nGoogle made inroads into the smart phone market. It\u2019s Android<\/strong> mobile operating system has dominated the mobile market. Its devices are cheap and come loaded with Google apps. The Android operating system is collecting data on users who may not use Google\u2019s other products or platforms. There are 2 Billion Android users worldwide as of 2017. [source link<\/a>]\r\n
Google surveillance at your child's school<\/h1>\r\nGoogle also launched it\u2019s Google ChromeBook<\/strong>, cloud-based personal computing hardware. It\u2019s also very cheap but you're locked into Google\u2019s offerings with the device. The key to understand its growing pervasiveness in schools is knowing that the low price-point is a strategy to gain marketshare and essentially aimed at data collection. If a child is forced by his school to use a Google ChromeBook, he is being groomed to grant access to his data to a tech giant for life. How will that data be used?\r\n\r\nGoogle is being sued in New Mexico for collecting and misusing data on children who are required to use ChromeBooks<\/strong> in schools. [source link<\/a>]\r\n\r\nThe growing \u2018tech in the classroom\u2019 or \u201cedtech<\/strong>\u201d industry is worth BILLIONS of dollars. So, there is a huge push by big tech to cram as much technology as possible into classrooms and homes in the name of \u201cbetter education.\u201d There\u2019s little to no research supporting the pervasive use of tech in the classroom is beneficial. In fact studies are proving that \u201cthe digital interface does not stimulate the brain as well as an analog interface. Off-loading the cognitive effort that makes critical brain connections stronger is like paying someone else to do your exercise for you.\u201d<\/strong><\/em>\r\n\r\nRemember, this is a profit-centered approach, not a student-centered approach.\r\n
Google surveillance on the school bus?<\/h1>\r\n
\u201cIn places such as Hot Springs, Va., Alphabet Inc.\u2019s Google has wired school buses, turning them into rolling study halls for students with long commutes and sometimes patchy or nonexistent Wi-Fi at home. Google says the program, a pilot which is in 15 school districts in 13 states, will be funded at least through the end of this school year.\u201d [source link<\/a>]<\/blockquote>\r\n
Google surveilling your location, email, documents, photos and network<\/h1>\r\nGoogle Maps<\/strong> was the best free mobile GPS system available\u2026 until Waze<\/strong> was introduced and began giving Google Maps a run for their money. Google acquired Waze for nearly a $1 Billion before Apple or another competitor could buy them. [source link]<\/a>\r\n\r\nAll of this and more on top of the world\u2019s most powerful search engine and email client used (Gmail<\/strong>)\u00a0[source link<\/a>]. \u00a0While most know that Google stores personal data related to search, few are aware that Google is collecting data from Gmail accounts. [source link<\/a>]\r\n\r\nGoogle Docs is popular for document storage and search capabilities.\u00a0Google Photos platform receives 1.4 Billion uploads per day by users.\u00a0Let's not forget Google Fiber (broadband internet and IPTV).\r\n
Are you starting to see a pattern? A good detective identifies behavior patterns. Patterns lead to evidence.<\/h1>\r\nGoogle may have begun with good intentions but as I have demonstrated they have followed a path of bad actions that are a cause for concern.\r\n\r\nBTW. None of this has gone unnoticed by the Feds, the U.S. Department of Justice has ramped up it\u2019s investigation into this tech behemoth. [source link<\/a>]\r\n\r\nWhy do companies like Google and Facebook offer their products for free or cheap? \u00a0Because their surveillance business model turns the user into the \"product\" they can sell. \u00a0Google and Facebook are in the 'Digital Human data-trafficking\" business. \u00a0They manipulate people and sell the digital profiles of billions of people. \u00a0They surveil you and sell everything they know about you to the highest bidder ... and you let them<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nIn my next post, we'll talk about the type of threat companies like Google pose and what can we do about it. \u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\nStay tuned!\r\n\r\nReference note:<\/strong> Much of my interest and research in this section was initiated from a podcast of the Bill Walton Show E<\/em>pisode 63: Part 2- The Power to Re-engineer Humanity<\/em><\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nRead previous post: Google: Friend or Foe - Part 1<\/a>\r\nIf you wish to subscribe to this blog, please sign-up here<\/a>. Every time I post something new, you will receive an email.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13,16,261,260,58,66],"tags":[109,156,274,211,221],"yoast_head":"\n