Microsoft Slams Google Privacy Changes With "Putting People First" Ad Campaign

http://marketingland.com/microsoft-slams-google-privacy-search-changes-with-putting-people-first-ad-campaign-4887

by Slimy • 14 years ago

18 26 14 years ago

sek2• 14 years ago

On microsoft.com/dashboard you can organize all the personal data you have on Microsoft. Shame on Google for making it more difficult.

sp3322• 14 years ago

That page doesn't exist.

pagekalisedown• 14 years ago

I think this was the intended URL: http://connect.microsoft.com/dashboard/

Edit: My bad. I think the OP was being sarcastic, and this link is barely relevant.

pilif• 14 years ago

sek was being sarcastic because google.com/dashboard does exist.

joebadmo4• 14 years ago

Yep. And the classy and timely commentary they make on these Google issues really makes me think they're not a reactive monothilic opportunistic megacorp trying to cynically manipulate me at all. Those Microsoft guys... maybe they're not so bad!

sek2• 14 years ago

Who is they? Is this about my comment, Google or Microsoft? You really did confuse me here ;-)

sfard• 14 years ago

Microsoft continues the trend of being the "good guys" in the tech giant world... oh how the world has changed.

spwmoni• 14 years ago

It Really Makes You Think!!!

raganwald4• 14 years ago

The text of Microsoft’s ad:

"Google is in the process of making some unpopular changes to some of their most popular products. Those changes, cloaked in language like “transparency,” “simplicity” and “consistency,” are really about one thing: making it easier for Google to connect the dots between everything you search, send, say or stream while using one of their services.

"But, the way they’re doing it is making it harder for you to maintain control of your personal information. Why are they so interested in doing this that they would risk this kind of backlash? One logical reason: Every data point they collect and connect to you increases how valuable you are to an advertiser.

"To be clear, there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to improve the quality of an advertising product. But, that effort needs to be balanced with continuing to meet the needs and interests of users. Every business finds its own balance and attracts users who share those priorities. Google’s new changes have upset that balance, with users’ priorities being de-prioritized. That’s why people are concerned and looking for alternatives.

"If these changes rub you the wrong way, please consider using our portfolio of award-winning products and services…."

VikingCoder• 14 years ago

Let's see... Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt.

Yup, all right there.

raganwald4• 14 years ago

Yes, but are they wrong?

UPDATE: I should make it clear that I didn’t post the text to say I agree with it, but as a service for people like me who tend to read the comments first to decide whether to read the post second :-)

yanw3• 14 years ago

Won’t be the first time Microsoft used propaganda against a competitor (this manufactured brouhaha over the new privacy policy could be their doing for all I know).

I'm not sure what they find so objectionable about the new privacy policy seeing as Google isn't collecting additional data, isn't selling it and is not removing the tools they already have in place to control it; and they've significantly reduced the text involved and gave a notice more than a month in advance.

I think this is the best take on this whole issue: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/01/31/on-the-go...

danilocampos• 14 years ago

> this manufactured brouhaha over the new privacy policy could be their doing for all I know.

Let's see if I've got this...

The world's largest web search provider, also a leading email provider, while also launching a social networking platform, makes sweeping changes to its privacy policy that affect millions with no opt-out...

And it's plausible to you that Microsoft is behind the arched eyebrows. You'd rather posit a Ballmer conspiracy than the simplest explanation.

yanw3• 14 years ago

Opt-out for a privacy policy!? and for a policy which aims at reducing the amount of policies!? read it and if you don't like it then don't use that product, there is your "opt-out".

As for the changes in question, my point is that they do not warrant that sort of reaction, and seeing as Microsoft is in the habit of hiring big DC PR firms to blast competitors it's not unfeasible that it's them behind all this, the difference is that this time it's public.

johnmmix• 14 years ago

Microsoft don't exactly have a spotless track record for "putting people first" over the interests of advertising: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/08/ie8-waterdown-privacy...

Maybe attitudes have genuinely changed at MS in the ~3 years since IE8 came out?

1010011010• 14 years ago

Microsoft fights dirty, as always.

Microsoft Slams Google Privacy Changes With "Putting People First" Ad Campaign

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