Buzz Needs Changes

Before we begin, here is a point to ponder: even if Google’s Buzz needs changes, do we need the Buzz?

Google’s Buzz social networking tool came out of the blue. It surprised everyone and Google thought that this wonderful new web service will bring delight to many people.

Google was wrong. Just ask Harriet Jacobs, an American woman and a well known blogger. She suddenly found her buzz being followed by an ex-husband simply because she had corresponded with him before.

Now, if this was on Facebook, then the usual internet reaction of face palming and proclamations of “fail” would be justified. But this is Google Buzz. With Facebook, before you do anything, before anyone will even see your profile, you get to decide what appears on your page. Before your account goes public, you customize your visibility. Before anything happens, you are given the almighty power to approve or deny it.

Google gives you nothing at all.

The moment you click the button that brings you see Buzz on your Gmail account, the default settings kick in and anyone in your contact page becomes a follower and you are suddenly following them.

Just imagine the crazy ex; the one who you were still with when you signed up for Gmail. These days, it is almost impossible to have never corresponded through email. Yeah. Now imagine that person following your updates.

Even if you have not posted an update, it abhors us thinking that you need to actually think about editing the settings before doing anything. Not everyone is tech-savvy. This is why privacy settings are force introduced by social networks upon signing up. It is not a given. Only a war veteran would check a quiet open field for mines, a dentist would simply stroll through.

Get more buzz about Google Buzz at Times Online UK.