Privacy Concerns May Impact Google Analytics

Business is up for one web analytics provider after Google rebranded Urchin and launched a version of it as a free service, and that could be due to privacy questions.

reported how the CEO of analytics firm ClickTracks, John Marshall, described the Google effect to writer Gord Hotchkiss: First of all, people don't seem comfortable with the fact that Google is holding all this data about their sites and its performance. "The privacy backlash has expanded in online forums and is creating a groundswell of concerns. Interest in our products is quantifiably higher than before!" wrote John. "Customers are simultaneously aware of Web analytics AND aware of data privacy concerns. The degree to which customers are coming in the doors here at ClickTracks and opening discussions with 'is my data private?' has surprised us." US customers are not the only ones asking questions about privacy before looking over the shiny sales brochures. Marshall noted that customers in Japan have similar worries about "centralized data collection." Google does have a lengthy posted, use of Google Analytics requires the site publisher to have a privacy policy, per the Analytics' terms of service. David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him

Suggest a Correction

Found an error or have a suggestion? Let us know and we'll review it.

Your Name *

Your Email *

Correction Details *

Submit Correction