Google responsible for Spam

[rov1200]

I have heard that Google notes the web sites that users go to and creates a portfolio so that spam can be sent to the unsuspected user. I believe also that its possible to block this behaviour in Google. What are the steps required?

[Buenchico]

That sounds like a weird mixture of truths and falsehoods to me.

Nobody can send you any emails (spam or otherwise) unless they know (or can guess at) your email address. Web browsing doesn't divulge your email address to anyone (irrespective of the data collection that is carried out by firms like Google), so it's impossible for Google (or anyone else) to send you spam based upon your web browsing habits.

Google does offer a free service to marketers, called Google Analytics, which collects certain data (but it still can't generate spam because, again, it doesn't collect email addresses):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Analytics

If you've got a GMail account, Google will scan all of your mail, specifically so that it can append appropriate advertising material. Some people object to this:
http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/GmailLetter.ht m
However that has nothing to do with web browsing.

Chris

[rov1200]

Yes, maybe the wires have got crossed. But your reference to G-mail seems closer to the mark.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for the reply.

As I type, I'm listening to the midnight news on Radio 4 about Phorm:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7998009. stm

That reminded me that Google uses Double-Click tracking cookies to produce targeted advertising. It still can't produce spam (for the reasons I originally stated) but it might be behind the statements which led to your question:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7937201. stm

Chris