Google Inc has met another set back with the implementation of its new Gmail Buzz feature after privacy watchdog Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a complaint before the Federal Trade Commission, saying that the new e-mail/social networking service violates consumer protection law.
The complaint came after Google Inc made several adjustments on its service following massive privacy concerns by millions of Gmail account users.
The barrage of fire was launched against the search giant less than a week after its release of the new Google Buzz. The main issue that was hurled against the company was the automatic creation of public circles of friends for the account users, which was based on the frequency of content exchanges.
On Sunday, Google announced that it has already altered the service feature providing more security control to the users.
However, despite the alterations on the service, the EPIC still filed the complaint citing Google’s automatic sign up for Buzz.
Based on the court documents, instead of waiting for the users to sign up voluntarily, Google has done the “did” for the users by automatically signing them up for the service.
EPIC is calling for the FTC to require the search giant to make the new Buzz service a “fully opt in” feature for Gmail users, adding that the Internet giant should be barred from using address books of Gmail users to compile social networking lists.
EPIC Executive Director Marc Rotenberg said that the “automatic opt in” is a significant breach of consumer privacy, adding that Google should not able allowed by the users to acquire their personal information that will be later used in an act that they have not requested or asked.
Meanwhile, Google has defended itself from the complaints, saying that they have already given users enough security control options to the new Buzz service.
The company said that they have included the “agreement of activation” to the new service so that users can choose whether they would like to be a member or not.
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