Google analyzes Dell customers

In “Google dependency is risky business” last month I underscored how Google is asserting its influence on the operations of its advertisers, prospective advertisers and publisher “partners” more and more.

Companies expose themselves to prospective competitive and proprietary risks by enabling the number one search engine and third party contextual advertising network to “get inside” of their businesses, as I put forth.

While small companies look to the “free” services Google offers to extend their limited resources, large companies also willing open their back office doors to the company determined to “organize the world’s information”: Google

Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently extolled Google’s reach into the PCs of Dell customers (Toolbar, Start Page, Desktop Search…):

The Dell deal in 2006 Q2, where we got better access for end users to Google.

 

Google now also has better access to information on how Dell users and prospective users act at Dell.

Fellow ZDNet blogger Ed Burnette looked at the source code behind the new Dell customer feedback initiative, “IdeaStorm”; Dell is using Google’s Google Analytics to “track page views and clicks.”

According to “Google Analytics Terms of Service: Information Rights and Publicity”

Google and its wholly owned subsidiaries may retain and use, subject to the terms of its Privacy Policy, information collected in Your use of the Service.

Google puts forth limitations on third-party use of information collected, but no apparent limitations on Google’s own use of the data retrieved.

Google will not share information associated with You or your Site with any third parties unless Google (i) has Your consent; (ii) concludes that it is required by law or has 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 or the public; or (iii) provides such information in certain limited circumstances to third parties to carry out tasks on Google's behalf (e.g., billing or data storage) with strict restrictions that prevent the data from being used or shared except as directed by Google.

Google explains:

Google Analytics uses a first-party cookie and JavaScript code to collect information about visitors..

With over 80 reports, your free Google Analytics account will track visitors through your site…

Google Analytics is hosted and managed using Google infrastructure.

Is "hosted and managed by Google" really a good thing?

Is Google Headed for a Fall?
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