Google Toolbar Tracks Web Users
Despite the upfront disclosure Monday of the anonymous tracking functions of the new Google Toolbar, some privacy advocates still question the company's potential to link user profiles with personally identifiable information.When downloading the toolbar, Google warns consumers, "By using the Advanced Features version of the Google Toolbar, you may be sending information about the sites you visit to Google."
The statement goes on to explain that Google only collects anonymous information and that it does not share any personally identifiable information with third parties.
Google also allows consumers to download a version of its toolbar without advanced features that does not track users.
Even so, privacy advocates say that data could be linked to individuals through toolbar identification files.
A Google spokesman said the company would keep all user files anonymous in accordance with its privacy policy.
