Google Buzz privacy flaw -- READ THIS IF YOU USE GMAIL.

Read about this on another site. Google recently introduced their own social networking application called "Google Buzz". Google Buzz automatically imports and displays your contacts, because the developers wanted users to only need to do "minimal setup".

What this means for us here in Candyland:
If you have Google Buzz enabled, your profile will display any other Gmail/Google account users with whom you have had email contact. Think about that for a moment. Your little black book has just been run up the flagpole. Thanks, Google.

What it does:
http://www.businessinsider.com/warni...cy-flaw-2010-2

Most importantly, how to fix it:
http://www.businessinsider.com/warni...urn-buzz-off-4
Thank you for the Alert!
WetVelvetSAT's Avatar
Hi,

I went and checked my gmail account and lo and behold at the bottom it gives you an option to turn OFF buzz....Wow!

Thanks again!

Sincerely,
Velvet
ANONONE's Avatar
Thanks, Carrie, just turned mine off.
Hmm, I don't have it in any of my gmail accounts? Weird but a great heads up.
GneissGuy's Avatar
Hmm, I don't have it in any of my gmail accounts? Weird but a great heads up. Originally Posted by babee
You will only have "buzz" if you decided to enable it.
WetVelvetSAT's Avatar
You will only have "buzz" if you decided to enable it. Originally Posted by GneissGuy
Hi,

Really, when you open you gmail, go all the way to the bottom where the small print is...(not in an email)..where they show copyrights and things...interesting if you don't have choice...mine said...turn off buzz...and click it and it say turn on buzz....

But anyway, that's cool that is one less thing you have to worry about..aheheheh...

Sincerely,
Velvet
As Carrie pointed out indirectly, Google can be most intrusive in its information gathering style. I personally avoid using the toolbar for that very reason.
Disabling Buzz isn't enough. Any previous buzzes are still visible to anyone looking for them. Your profile is still public.

"The automatic reaction is to scroll to the very bottom of Gmail and click the words "turn off buzz." But all this does is remove active links, leaving your profile still publicly available, along with any public buzzes you might have made while trying Buzz out. In fact, you're still technically following people, and they're following you. Not OK."

Full instructions to remove the Buzz privacy pest on this link

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-...html?tag=mncol