Going Google Free

Have you ever considered the data Google collects from your use of their products? Tom Henderson, managing director of Extreme Labs, is attempting to live a Google free life after they announced changes to privacy agreements earlier in the year. Henderson wasn't satisfied with the new policy so decided to quit Google.

Henderson has lived Google free for four months and uses alternative services instead of those provided by Google; he watches videos on Vimeo rather than YouTube and uses MapQuest instead of Google's Maps service. Henderson also uses blockers to prevent Google from tracking his browsing which can be used to tailor online advertising.

Google's terms of service state that the data they collect from their users is primarily used to help improve the browsing experience, the privacy and use of that data is Google's primary concern and they will only share that data in a limited number of circumstances.

While Tom Henderson is quitting Google, at the other end of the scale is Joe Wilcox, the editor of BetaNews; after trying to quit Google he instead embraced all they have to offer. He is particularly impressed with a new service, Google Now, which accesses your current location and other personal data to provide information tailored to you such as local traffic updates, weather information and even restaurant suggestions.

Would you consider going Google free like Tom Henderson or are you happy sharing your data with Google in exchange for a range of tailored online services like Joe Wilcox? Let us know in the comments field below.