Google Chrome didn’t even make it through 24 hours of downloads before stirring controversy. The search giant’s new Web browser is in the privacy spotlight thanks to terms of service that give it rights some may not want to grant.
“There are some questions about exactly what the browser is capturing. The licensing agreement says it is sending everything you type back to Google so it can better find searches. But are folks going to be comfortable with that?” asked Michael Gartenberg, vice president of mobile strategy for Jupitermedia.
Pushing Downloads Automatically
That’s a question more people are beginning to ask. On the surface, Google said it designed a browser window that is streamlined and simple. Under the hood, Google said it was able to build the foundation of a browser that runs today’s complex Web applications much better. But what else does it do?
According to Google Chrome’s terms of service, the software may automatically download and install updates from time to time from Google. Google promises these updates are designed to “improve, enhance and further develop” the services, and may take the form of bug fixes, enhanced functions, new software modules and completely new versions. When you download Chrome, you agree to receive the updates.
Given Google’s philosophy to “launch early and iterate,” its desire to automatically download and install updates to the user’s PC doesn’t surprise analysts. Google has said Chrome is far from done. The company is releasing the beta for Windows to start a broader discussion and get feedback from consumers as quickly as possible.
Perpetual, Irrevocable, Worldwide Rights
It’s the latter part of the terms of service that are begging questions. Google Chrome users must agree that:
“By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly…