It is in sharing users' private information that one of the greatest potentials for loss of privacy can occur. The Google privacy statement indicates that the company does not rent or sell information. But it declares that sharing information is definitely an option under specified limited circumstances with the users' consent.

Users give their consent in most cases when they click the "I agree" option when signing up for a Google service . And what are those specific sharing conditions? Google shares collected data with third-party companies to process Google's specific instructions. It also shares user account information with all of its member services, according to the policy statement, to provide users "a seamless experience." Under unspecified conditions, Google shares account information with other people or nonaffiliated companies.

Google's privacy policy indicates that the company has an awareness of the sensitive nature of data collection. In its policy assertions, Google admits the need for a good-faith belief that access, preservation or disclosure of such information is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property or safety of Google, its users and the public. p> Essentially, however, Google tells users that "By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information among these facilities, including those located outside your country."

Who Owns Data?

From Google's viewpoint, once users grant consent by using Google's services, the collected data is beyond the user's reach forever. Google states that it might store and process personal information collected on its site wherever it wants. Generally, storage can be done within the U.S., in the company's agents' facilities or in any other country where it or its agents have facilities.

If Google's ownership should change hands through merger or acquisition, Google promises to let users know before any personally identifying information is transferred to a new owner. At that point, the collected and stored data could be subject to a new privacy policy.

Some privacy experts point to the ownership issue as one of the major threats to privacy. "The issue is what protections are there for consumers," said Barry Benjamin, an attorney with the firm of Pitney Hardin in New York. Benjamin counsels clients on the development of data collection as well as on e-mail and privacy policies. (continued...)

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