Tim Moore originally shared this post:


Privacy Versus Innovation

What do Americans value more than apple pie and reality TV? You got it: privacy. However, as our country rapidly becomes a global community of social networks, streaming video and 010011s, the term "privacy" begins to take on a different meaning. With the burgeoning technology of our globalized society and the increasing pressure to connect in the digital world, the information shared in the virtual world is expanding to distinctly personal levels making many Americans feel that their privacy is threatened and has literally become byte sized. Facebook profiles declare favorite movies, current activities, and random quirks like profound love of penguins.


With the introduction of Google+'s social network we are given yet another tool to connect with the ever shrinking universe. But when creating your Google profile there's one important detail you may not be aware of: there will be no private Google+ profiles.

If you choose to keep your profile private, Google will simply delete it after July 31, 2011. According to Google, Public Profiles are used to help people find and connect with you online, making them the driving force behind Google+. Private profiles do not allow for open sharing and connecting, which is not conducive to Google's product mission. Ahh yes, the other things Americans value: Making money.

This private/public issue makes for a crucial difference between Google+ and Facebook; on Facebook, you can have a completely private profile, which won't even come up in Google's search results or even Facebook search results (for people who aren't your friends). In contrast, to use Google+, you will be required to at least make your full name and gender public.

In a time where network sharing is becoming a key part of our social and business worlds, does making the move to mandatory public profiles seem like a business savvy move or a factor that will limit the number of users who desire to join Google+? Is it time to throw in the towel and let the world know we love penguins?

Thoughts?