Two things strike me about Google Dashboard. The first is how much more convenient it has made all of the (already convenient) Google tools I use to me. I sync my calendar with my phone, have my email available anywhere I want, keep docs I need to access regularly in Google docs and once I’ve cleaned up my contacts (two hours spent on it last night barely scratched the surface) I’ll sync that with my laptop and phone too. With Google Dashboard, I can now quickly survey all of my activites on their tools. Not a particularly all-singing, all-dancing addition to Google’s armoury, but useful nonetheless.
The second thing actually scares me just a little and this is how much Google already knows about me. As someone that accepted online tools, cloud facilities and digital formats of media very early on, I suppose I can’t really complain. Neither am I so scared that someone might find too much out about me (the information is certainly personal, but not something you couldn’t find out using other, less digital means, anyway). But as time goes on and I use more and more online tools, “Big Brother” will certainly know more and more about me. I suppose the causes for concern about this are peripheral to the function of Google Dashboard, but maybe it’s introduction and uptake will indicate to online users just how exposed they allow themselves to be.
I can feel a post on online privacy brewing… Check back soon!!!
