Google and Facebook are two very different companies, but they share one key feature:

You as the user are not the client – You are the product.

Google gives us free search results; Facebook hosts a free community platform; but they both make a living by serving us ads.

There is however a HUGE difference: Google treats the privacy and individuality of its users with a certain degree of respect, or care.

I know, not everyone agrees with that statement – but if you don’t you’ll probably really agree with the next:

Facebook doesn’t give a pair of fetid dingo’s kidneys.

Every so often, several times a year usually, there is a public outcry, because once again, the terms, conditions or privacy settings were changed.

And nobody was asked if they wanted the changes.

In other words: Inasmuch as I know, Google offers changes as opt-in: You need to select the new settings yourself and click ‘save’.

Facebook just switches them on for you.

I don’t know about you, but to me that’s just not playing nice.

Yes of course: If we don’t want the world to know it, we shouldn’t put it on Facebook. Fine.

That has nothing to do with my point, which is: Can’t they just ask me first?

Is their bottom line really so important that they feel it’s ok to decide on my behalf?

If you’re in business, you’re there to make cash. If you’re an ethical business, you do that by solving a real problem. So far so good.

But there’s a big difference between saying

“We solve a problem (search) and in doing so we make money”

and

“This is how we make money, and we have to provide a service (sharing and communication platform) in order to do that”.

Which side is your business on?