We're from Google and we're here to help. Really?

This didn't take long. Just one day into Chrome's young existence and serious privacy questions are getting raised. Sleuthing by my colleague Ina Fried turned up the following:

The auto-suggest feature of Google's new Chrome browser does more than just help users get where they are going. It will also give Google a wealth of information on what people are doing on the Internet besides searching.

Provided that users leave Chrome's auto-suggest feature on and have Google as their default search provider, Google will have access to any keystrokes that are typed into the browser's Omnibox, even before a user hits enter.

What's more, Google has every intention of retaining some of that data even after it provides the promised suggestions. A Google representative told CNET News that the company plans to store about 2 percent of that data--and plans to store it along with the Internet Protocol address of the computer that typed it.

So much for "Don't be evil"? That's probably a stretch, though I have the feeling that Google was so eager to push this product onto the Web that it failed to let its wiser heads add their two cents. Nothing here that can't be remedied as you only need to turn off the auto-suggest feature to prevent Google from getting its hands on your personal data.

Meanwhile, Google has since backed away from its initial insistence on claiming the right to display and distribute any content transmitted through the browser. In a statement released earlier Wednesday, Google said, "In order to keep things simple for our users, we try to use the same set of legal terms (our Universal Terms of Service) for many of our products. Sometimes, as in the case of Google Chrome, this means that the legal terms for a specific product may include terms that don't apply well to the use of that product. We are working quickly to remove language from Section 11 of the current Google Chrome terms of service."

I wouldn't get too excited about any of this. Truth be told, however, the privacy kerfuffle around the Chrome Web browser was entirely avoidable--and it wouldn't have slowed down its sales juggernaut either. Google can learn the lesson in advance of the next big product roll-out.

Earlier Wednesday, I sat down with Ina on our Daily Debrief segment for an extended chat about all this.

Click here for full coverage of the Google Chrome launch.

[mishmash0101]

If Microsoft did this, everyone would be calling for their heads. Google does it and the writer says its ok because you can opt out. Since when is spying on users ok (as long as they can opt out)? NEVER!

You guys need to hold Google, Apple, and all of your other pet companies to the same standard as Microsoft.

[MaxZilla]

Thank you Mishmash for finally bringing to the publics' attention that the media's pet companies can do evil.... Hoo Rah!

[ThatScienceGuy]

"So much for "Don't be evil"? That's probably a stretch, though I have the feeling that Google was so eager to push this product onto the Web that it failed to let its wiser heads add their two cents."

I don't think that statement is true at all... Google is a big company, they need lots of money to stay in business. They make their money by selling ads. They make good money because they are good at placing their ads intelligently. There are companies that PAY people to let them watch where you surf so that they can provide targeted ad information to ad companies. Google has cut out the middleman, they can now target ads to INDIVIDUALS, not just target groups. Much more money for google. They will fast-talk, and reword, and make it opt-in... but will make it not worth using their browser if you opt-out. They will NOT back down from this.

Google has created product and service lines that are so attractive that it's almost impossible to imagine the web without them, and they have an active disregard for your privacy.... the very definition of evil.

Now, I've got to go... downloading Chrome tonight... looks like a VERY intuitive browsing experience... I bet working with Google Maps will be even cooler, once Google knows who I am and where I go!

[Vegaman_Dan]

If there is anything good to come of all this, it is the knowledge of what is in the EULA for the rest of the Google Docs services online. Google can lay claim to use anything you do online with those services. Got some confidential information about your business plans? Not anymore- Google is free to do what they want with that including giving it away, using it for ads, or even selling it. That makes it a very dangerous thing to do for not only private consumers, but doubly so for any enterprise or business. I'm rather surprised they slipped under the radar with that one in the past. No longer though, as the spotlight has been turned on them and their practices.

[colamix]

"If Microsoft did this, everyone would be calling for their heads."

That's because Microsoft is a convicted predatory monopoly with a track record going back to your childhood. Assuming Google uses this information in a evil manner, it will still be their first offense so big deal !

[timber2005]

There shouldn't even be a first offense. And this would be a BIG one.

[The_Decider]

I see you haven't read past EULA's for Google Desktop, GMail, etc....

If I steal your identity(Google is a good tool for that BTW) it won't be a big deal because it is my first offense?

Good to know.

[SeizeCTRL]

Is this for both versions of Chrome? Cause there was a version where you could opt out of that.

[The_Decider]

Until Google makes all these spyware features opt-in by default, I will never use their crap(and crap it is).