Google Hacked? Orkut Personal Info Leaks Onto Web

Grok Headline matches for Google Hacked? Orkut Personal Info Leaks Onto Web

Orkut members launch Orkut Paranoia
community about Orkut TOS on Orkut

Orkut members launch Orkut Paranoia
community about Orkut TOS on Orkut 02/10/2004 10:42 PM
Geez. My head is spinning. Anyway, BoingBoing reader Adam fields points us to a new "Orkut community" (one of many online affinity groups within the social networking service), called "Orkut Paranoia" (link requires free membership). Adam says, "This formed out of some interesting discussion we've had about what's going on... summarized in this blog post:"

1) Orkut claims irrevocable unlimited license rights to everything you post. Most people don't understand what that means. One example of this is that many of my friends have posted pictures that I've taken. This is probably not a problem, generally, but they've granted Orkut a license to use them without consulting me, and created a legal tangle should I have a problem with that, forcing me to have to perform a legal struggle with Orkut, because of their unwitting actions. I think this is rude behavior on the part of Orkut, but their prerogative to demand.
2) Orkut may share personal information with Google in an unrestricted way. Google is unwilling (so far) to discuss what use they may make of that information.
3) Google's privacy policy possibly has some holes in it with regards to data collected by way of means other than use of the google.com website.

I suspect that Orkut is a way for Google to gather personal information about their clientele for marketing purposes, and to try to form a more solid relationship beyond "I just use Google for search because it's convenient". This is not terribly nefarious, but the kind of data that could be collected to do so has wide potential for abuse, and people should be aware that that's what's going on. Some may not care, but many people I know are signing up without reading or understanding the implications of the above three points.

Link

Info leaks out about New IE due in early
2004

Info leaks out about New IE due in early
2004 10/29/2003 01:14 AM

Orkut Personal Network GeoMapper

Orkut Personal Network GeoMapper 04/26/2004 08:11 PM

datawhorehouse.com/orkut/mapme.php
track this site | 4 links

Paying For Personal Info Online Not
Likely To Get You Very Far

Paying For Personal Info Online Not
Likely To Get You Very Far 06/03/2004 10:47 AM
I'm pretty sure we've seen articles quite similar to this before, but the NY Times has sent a reporter out to test out one of those "find out anything about anyone" online services. As you might expect, they tried to find out some info on themselves, and while the writer appears to have spent plenty of money, it doesn't look like he found out very much. Some of it was quite accurate, but it was mixed in with so much false data that you would probably have to already know him (or be him) to know which was true and which was false. Also, it seems likely that much of the info could be figured out from other sources for free. The best part was the "background check" the site he used offered for $45. That told him the names of (possibly, if they got it right) a few of his neighbors, and that his wife and his daughter were actually the same person. So, for those of you worried about others looking you up and digging up your private info, rest assured that the amount of data they dig up will probably just as misleading as it is revealing.

Formation offers OS X personal info
organizer

Formation offers OS X personal info
organizer 06/03/2004 12:26 PM
Mekanica Software has released Formation 1.0 for Mac OS X, a US$29.95 personal information organizer that combines lists, notes, contacts, calendar, media browsers, scrapbook, smartlinks and more with a customizable interface...

ID cards to use 'key database' of
personal info

ID cards to use 'key database' of
personal info 04/26/2004 11:39 AM
Blunkett blanket trawl

site posts delegates' personal info

site posts delegates' personal info 09/02/2004 12:36 AM
Usatoday.com - Tue Aug 31, 08:33 am GMT

Remove Hidden Personal Info in Office
Documents

Remove Hidden Personal Info in Office
Documents 01/06/2004 04:25 AM
Office 2003 has collaboration tools built in that tracks and passes hidden in the document personal identifying information. A large...

Website draws costly bid for personal
info (Reuters)

Website draws costly bid for personal
info (Reuters) 03/06/2004 02:00 AM
Reuters - Strapped for cash? An offer to sell your name, address and other details in a Japanese Internet auction could attract a bid of 1.36 million yen (6,740 pounds).

Why Google needs Orkut

Why Google needs Orkut 02/10/2004 02:49 AM
In all the discussion of Orkut I've seen so far, most folks are busy comparing Orkut to every other social networking web site around, typically they mention Friendster ("it's so much faster!"), but as we all know these sites are a dime a dozen these days. At least it seems that way. What surprises me is that nobody has looked at it the other way around: What problems might Orkut solve that Google would otherwise find significantly more challenging? Those...

Orkut, Google and Privacy

Orkut, Google and Privacy 02/14/2004 05:25 PM
If I understand this correctly, Google can now link my name and personal information to all of the Google Web searches I do (or may have done, as long as the cookie on my computer has been there, prior to signing up). This is totally outrageous. A company PR person said she'd look into it. I'll let you know what she says.

Orkut.com, affiliated with Google,
launches.

Orkut.com, affiliated with Google,
launches. 01/22/2004 10:58 PM
Yet another social networking site launches: Orkut.com. All I know about it is that supercool BoingBoing buddy Justin Hall is a member, the site was launched "in association with Google", it includes a friend rating system (ascribe degrees of various attributes to your Orkutsters -- coolness, h4wtness, whatever), and it's asking me to invite all of my friends. (loud retching sounds)

Google Seeks New Friends With Orkut

Google Seeks New Friends With Orkut 01/25/2004 09:48 PM
High Search Engine Ranking Jan 26 2004 1:16AM GMT

Orkut - Google Social Networking

Orkut - Google Social Networking 01/23/2004 02:22 PM
Google (kinda) Offers Social Networking called Orkut
Acording to this CNET artice, Orkut is the outgrowth of a personal project by Google Engineers Orkut Buyukkokten. He created "Orkut.com in the past several months by working on it about one day a week--an amount that Google asks all of its engineers to devote to personal projects". And oh, by the way:

"Membership to orkut is by invitation only.
If you have a friend who's a member of orkut, have them invite you to join."

Did Google Steal Orkut Code?

Did Google Steal Orkut Code? 06/30/2004 07:13 PM
Search Engine Lowdown Jun 30 2004 11:01PM GMT

Google Social Network: Orkut

Google Social Network: Orkut 01/23/2004 04:12 PM

Company Claims Orkut Stole Orkut Code

Company Claims Orkut Stole Orkut Code 06/30/2004 07:19 PM
It's not like it's particularly difficult to write a social networking systems. These days, at the rate new ones are coming out, it practically seems like a typical first year CS student's project. Still, a company named Affinity Engines that builds social networking products for universities (that just so happens to have been founded by Orkut Buyukkokten - the creator of orkut.com) is now suing Google for stealing their code. From the article, it sounds like they have a pretty solid claim. First, it's obvious that Orkut had access to the code. He even continued to work on it while he was at Google. According to the lawsuit he promised repeatedly that he wasn't going to work on a similar app for Google, but then did so anyway. The real damaging point, however, is that Affinity Engines claims they've found nine identical bugs in Orkut that are also in their own system -- which certainly makes it quite likely the basic code is the same.

Google Launches Orkut to combat
Friendster

Google Launches Orkut to combat
Friendster 01/24/2004 03:30 AM
I4U Jan 24 2004 8:10AM GMT

Google eyes social networking with Orkut

Google eyes social networking with Orkut 01/23/2004 07:38 PM
Google is edging into the social networking space popularized by Friendster, launching on Thursday a networking site created by one of its engineers. ...

Google Says Sued Over Orkut Code
(Reuters)

Google Says Sued Over Orkut Code
(Reuters) 06/30/2004 10:29 PM
Reuters - Google Inc. said late on Wednesday that it has been sued by Affinity Engines, which alleges that Google's Orkut social networking site is built with code stolen from its company.

Google debuts Friendster-clone Orkut

Google debuts Friendster-clone Orkut 01/22/2004 11:04 PM
Exclusive Will you be my friend?

Company says Google copied code for
Orkut

Company says Google copied code for
Orkut 07/02/2004 06:26 AM
SiliconValley.com Jul 2 2004 10:10AM GMT

Lawsuit: Google Stole Orkut Code

Lawsuit: Google Stole Orkut Code 06/30/2004 12:56 PM
Wired News Jun 30 2004 5:38PM GMT

Google sued over Orkut bug replication
feature

Google sued over Orkut bug replication
feature 07/02/2004 06:16 PM
Your bugs are our IP

Google email being hacked

Google email being hacked 08/10/2004 06:00 PM

Direct and Related Links for 'Google email being hacked'

“Software designed to exploit the much lauded Gmail service has been released this week. Aptly named “Gmail Hack” the software performs Dictionary and Brute Force Attacks against a GMail email account.” FYI to those of us with Gmail accounts. Be sure you’re using strong password practices!…

Google sued over alleged Orkut code
theft

Google sued over alleged Orkut code
theft 07/01/2004 12:31 AM
Social networking software company Affinity Engines is suing Google, accusing them of stealing code which is used in their orkut.com social-networking venture. Google denies the allegations, but will the suit harm them as they prepare for their IPO?

Google Releases Orkut Social Networking
Service

Google Releases Orkut Social Networking
Service 01/23/2004 02:22 PM
Google employee releases social networking service .. orkut, google's social networking app .. released to the public .. Search Engine Watch .. invite only

searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3302741
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"Google Releases Orkut Social Networking
Service"

"Google Releases Orkut Social Networking
Service" 01/24/2004 02:52 PM

Affinity Engines Says Google Stole Orkut
Code

Affinity Engines Says Google Stole Orkut
Code 06/30/2004 02:51 PM

Orkut.com Social Networking Engine in
Affiliation with Google

Orkut.com Social Networking Engine in
Affiliation with Google 01/23/2004 02:26 PM
"The move comes in the wake of rumors that Google wanted to buy social networking service Friendster last year and just a day after Eurekster launched, a social network service that refines search results."

Google Sends Cease-And-Desist To Orkut
Geomapper Site

Google Sends Cease-And-Desist To Orkut
Geomapper Site 05/19/2004 12:15 AM
Search Engine Lowdown May 19 2004 4:28AM GMT

Wired News: Lawsuit: Google Stole Orkut
Code

Wired News: Lawsuit: Google Stole Orkut
Code 07/01/2004 07:08 AM
suing Google for stealing their code .. Did Orkut steal the code for Orkut .. Wired

wired.com/news/business/0,1367,64046,00.html
track this site | 5 links

Affinity Engines Files Suit Against
Google Over Orkut Code

Affinity Engines Files Suit Against
Google Over Orkut Code 06/30/2004 02:31 PM
"A small social networking software company filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming that much of the source code behind Orkut.com...was stolen by a former engineer. "

/articleshow/760677.cms">Google
accused of stealing Orkut code

/articleshow/760677.cms">Google
accused of stealing Orkut code 07/02/2004 04:53 AM
Economictimes.indiatimes.com - Fri Jul 2, 06:52 am GMT

GMail Exploit - Google email accounts
hacked

GMail Exploit - Google email accounts
hacked 08/07/2004 01:41 AM
OfficialSpin Aug 7 2004 5:11AM GMT

Orkut

Orkut 02/10/2004 02:53 AM
Well, this thing seems to be taking off. Nat threw in the first invite, so I signed up, and another half-dozen or so folks have fired off invites. This is another one of those networking site things, and I've decided that while I'll go accept invites from anyone I know (I really need to get a picture up--I'd throw the rainbow parrot pic I use for iChat, but the TOS seem to indicate that'd be ill-advised) I don't think I'm going to go to much trouble to actively go search people out. These things are always interesting to look at,...

The sayings of Chairman Schmidt:

Eric Schmidt of Google on Orkut and
other topics at Berkeley

The sayings of Chairman Schmidt:

Eric Schmidt of Google on Orkut and
other topics at Berkeley 03/06/2004 01:57 AM
The highlight of today's UC Berkeley CSEE department Research Symposium, at least in entertainment value, was the keynote speech by Eric Schmidt of Google (Berkeley CS M.S. and Ph.D.). He gave a very intelligent and witty speech, much too long to reproduce here. He talked about the changes over the last 30 years in technology and in the information industry, about Google business, logistical and technology challenges, and he told a lot of funny stories. A few tidbits: My policy for Google execs: for sixty minutes a day, they are required to be offline. From every piece of data on the growth of the Internet that Google sees, we don't see anything slowing down. The information industry is booming. Google cares a lot about power and temperature. Google servers use more than 10 megawatts of power. Fires are a big problem. Sometimes I think that Google's fundamental mission is to move air from one server rack to another server rack. Running a data center is a lousy business. Every data center we have been in has gone bankrupt. Google's architectural problems are power, especially provisioning it, aggregating the data, since we have thousands of copies of the Internet, and scale problems. The speed of light is a problem. If you can solve a real end user problem, you are guaranteed to be a big success. There is a very interesting collision between the law and the Internet coming [he gave an example of kids buying prescription drugs over the net]. I know that the blogosphere is currently obsessed with Orkut, so I thought it would be worth reproducing to the best of my ability his response to a question about Orkut and its Terms of Service. Orkut is an experiment by a 28 year old man named Orkut looking for a social life. My engineers are obsessed with it -- I don't see what it has to offer a married man in his 40's like me. [I feel the same way]. It is unlikely that we will use that information. We need some information to connect people. Someone asked specifically about the provision in the Orkut TOS, By submitting, posting or displaying any Materials on or through the orkut.com service, you automatically grant to us a worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicenseable, transferable, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right to copy, distribute, create derivative works of, publicly perform and display such Materials. Schmidt said: The...

Google adds Playboy info to SEC filing

Google adds Playboy info to SEC filing 08/13/2004 09:04 AM
Search company acknowledges poor timing of controversial article, which could delay its IPO.

Google News Becomes personal

Google News Becomes personal 03/14/2005 04:34 PM
Google News, being still in beta (since 2002), has decided to meet the competition. Starting today, they will allow you to personalize your news feed. Users will now be able to create up to 20 specific sections of the website and distribute their customized layout via email. Here is what Google said about their new enhancement, "We've made a number of improvements to Google News that allow you to customize your News front page by creating sections that focus on topics you care about, for instance, your favorite sports team, technology, or celebrity," reads a Google News page posted Wednesday. "You can also design your custom front page by mixing and matching existing standard sections from the 22 regional editions of Google News from around the globe."
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Google Hacked? Orkut Personal Info Leaks Onto Web

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