Google bashing the new fashion

One of the objections brought up in the whole discussion of Google's DNS service is, that is yet another example of how Google is going to abuse your privacy as an Internet user.

Well, I got news for you: (online) privacy in 2009 is an illusion anyway.

First, no matter what DNS you use, (your) data is collected somewhere by someone.

Just and example: Dutch ISP’s are legally required to save and store all their customers internet data (including emails!) for 6 months (as of July this year; it was 18 months). Under the same telecom law all your phone calls (either mobile of land line) are stored for 12 months as well.

Note that this is an European law, so this is a common practice within Europe already: in France they store all information for 24 months.

So for the Dutch (or European) situation, this leads me to the question: who should you mistrust more? Google or your own government?

One particular comment Google made in their press release was, that they will not show any form of custom "not found" page when a domain name can not be resolved. Note that Google did not mention any companies in particular.

Nevertheless, this comment was immediately picked up by the press who said it refers to (and "attacks") the practice of a company called OpenDNS, that also provides a public DNS service. When you use the OpenDNS service and you type in an address that is not recognized by their DNS you see a custom "not found" page - with some ads on it.

Folks, this statement is utter nonsense: it is a very common practice for ISP's in the USA (and outside) to do this. It's not just a practice limited to OpenDNS. My girlfriend has had 3 providers in the last 5 years and each of them (AT&T, Sprint, and now Comcast) do this. It is part of their business model.

Even in Holland ISP’s, for instance UPC, have their own customized “not found” page. So linking Google’s comment to OpenDNS is just nonsense: there are way more users seeing their own ISP’s custom pages than there are users of OpenDNS! Just AT&T alone has more users than OpenDNS and Sprint combined!

OpenDNS just saw an opportunity to place themselves into an underdog position against Google and seized that opportunity to generate some media attention. It’s called PR! And it would be a bit silly to see this otherwise.

Just to add a little to this: in his own Blog, David Ulevitch, founder of OpenDNS wrote:

(...)Google claims that this service is better because it has no ads or redirection. But you have to remember they are also the largest advertising and redirection company on the Internet. To think that Google’s DNS service is for the benefit of the Internet would be naïve. They know there is value in controlling more of your Internet experience and I would expect them to explore that fully. And of course, we always have protected user privacy and have never sold our DNS data.

Guys: we are talking about criticism from a person that founded his whole company on the same idea (but on a smaller scale)! He doesn't have to "sell" the information (neither does Google): he just enables other to use the data in order to generate revenues! Why do you think is it OpenDNS.com and not .org?

OpenDNS is not a non-profit organization and neither is Google!

In this light OpenDNS’ response to Google’s launch of their own DNS service is just that: comments from one (scared) competitor about another. Like BMW saying that they are better than Mercedes. Or Microsoft claiming the same over Apple's products. To me, the comments made by Ulevitch say more about OpenDNS than Google.

It’s a free market and OpenDNS should get over the fact they are no longer alone.

Also, people criticizing Google should not act as if Google is attacking OpenDNS in any way.

Now, regarding the privacy of Google’s DNS service: if you look at http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/privacy.html you get explained exactly what information they store.

The short of it:

“Google Public DNS does not permanently store personally identifiable information.”

So, information is stored temporarily for a maximum of 48hrs.

Again: that is shorter and less information then your current (European) provider stores in light of the European telecom laws.

Last but not least: Google’s whole business ethics (model) are based on their credibility when it comes to their handling and safeguarding of your privacy.

It is in their own benefit to do so.

If it ever turns out they abuse their position and trust in any way, it is all over and they can close their company. People will leave their service at the drop of a dime. There are many alternatives.

The reason why Google is growing so much is because they provide good services for free.

So the negative conclusion that Ulevitch draws that Google just wants to "control" the internet, seems silly to me.

Think of it this way: if you want to run a successful company, what is the first business principle you should follow?

The answer is: helping and empowering your customers to achieve their goals and meet their needs.

In other words: you will only make money if you provide products and or services that help out your customer and – only then – in return it will profit your company. It is a two-way street: both parties will benefit.

Your customers success will become your own success.

So far every product of business idea Google has put in the market since their launch, has been in line with this principle.

It is the very reason why Google is successful.

So it makes very much sense that Google comes up with all kinds of initiatives and services that enhance their Google products (GoogleOS, Chrome) or complement them.

Having a fast and reliable DNS service is just one of them.

Given this, I think all the negativity is unfounded. Google has a good track record in comparison with other companies.

But I guess it's the general attitude among many people nowadays: waiting to see how some one makes a mistake so they then can say: "I told you so".