Personal Data storage has become quite a dilemma for the Internet users and the Internet application service providers like Yahoo, Google and others. On the one end users want to get all the customization and personalization of services that add value to the time they spend on the Internet, but on the other end users don't want the Internet companies to share their data with anyone else and "Play Evil" nor do the user want the Internet companies to analyze the individuals personal data and manipulate his/her internet experience.
I see this situation similar to the dilemma which people must have gone through when Banks were first coming up. Just imagine how hard it would have been for people 100 years ago to take their money out of their safe vault and put it in the banks. It definitely needed a paradigm shift in the confidence that one can entrust on the banks. After all, the banks can just run away with the money and leave you broke. Such fears don't exist today and the banking system is so mature that people would laugh at you if you stash your cash at home. Nevertheless, the services that the banks provide is based on your personal data with them and I am sure the banks share it with many other organizations. And if need be even the government can get a handle to this data. So what's wrong when Google or Yahoo uses your personal data to provide better services to you. Isn't it an accepted model as in the banking sector?
Today, an individuals personal data is as dear to him/her as cash. People want to entrust only those companies that can guarantee that an individuals personal data will be as safe as is the money in Swiss Bank. Google and Yahoo should work towards this goal of gaining the confidence of the users as has been done by the Swiss Bank in the banking industry.
Succumbing to the pressures of governments and divulging the information would just break the confidence of the users and also the values by which these companies stand for in a democratic world.
Black money has always been a plague on any economy. It is very difficult to track it. In this new technology world, the US government is keen on tracking people who have black profiles(fake profiles) which they use for illegal activities. In this context, it does makes sense for companies to provide some information and help the government. But will the government stop asking for more information, where will it draw the line? Give a camel an inch and he will take an ell, is apt to say about governments. Hence, the stance of Google to not to divulge an information and go against the government makes perfect sense. It has moved a step closer to becoming the Swiss personal Data Bank of the Internet. Let's see whether Yahoo will be another Swiss Bank of the Internet?
