Google toolbar "concerns"...

Several "concerns" over its use:

- http://isc.sans.org/diary.php?storyid=1113
Last Updated: 2006-02-11 04:45:22 UTC
"We have gotten alot of questions and concerns over the new functionality implemented with Google Desktop…"

- http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=29625
10 February 2006
"…(EFF) has warned that people should not download Google Desktop because it "greatly increases the risk to consumer privacy". A spokesEFF said that if the toolbar chooses to use it, the new "Search Across Computers" feature stores copies of the user's Word documents, PDFs, spreadsheets and other text-based documents on Google's own servers. The EFF is concerned that it will make their personal data more vulnerable to subpoenas from the government, which has already shown an interest in what Google keeps on his server…"

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FYI…

- http://www.techweb.com/article/printableAr…_section=700028
February 17, 2006
"Tech research firm Gartner Inc. is recommending that enterprises turn off the file-sharing feature in Google Inc.'s desktop software. In a research posting on its site, Gartner said businesses allowing employees to use Google Desktop 3 Beta, which was released Feb. 9, should start using the enterprise version of the software immediately. In addition, it said businesses should disable the Search Across Computers feature. The feature enables people to share files in their computers. Google does this by storing index copies of the files on its server for up to 30 days. The information is encrypted, and computer users decide which files they want to share…"

- http://www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?doc_cd=137896
16 February 2006
"The newest release of Google's desktop search application is fine for technically adept personal users. But the Search Across Computers option should be disabled or heavily managed by enterprises…"