Google corrects rumours about splitting Buzz from Gmail

17th February, 2010 by adina
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Bradley Horowitz, Google Product Marketing VP, has said that his company would plan to separate Google Buzz from any Gmail connection. This separation was not claimed to be certain but existing users on Buzz would not have to link it to any real e-mail address. Another option allowing redirection of Buzz users to a new Gmail-free name would be possibly given by an accompanying migration feature.

Only recently unveiled, Buzz is already subject to large controversy due to its location and auto-following features. The live updating service seems to have exposed the Gmail addresses of some well-known persons or others menaced to be harassed by former relationships or even anonymous stalkers. This could happen due to some features permitting easy close off access. When combining this with geolocation for posts on smartphones like Nexus One or iPhone, which are GPS-capable, make possible the tracking of a person’s physical location. This could happen although Google has allowed changing users’ exact location when not already confirmed.

An additional concern was related to clutter, as a lot of people or those updating frequently could clutter the service.

Bradley Horowitz has revealed that Google has already made some steps to solve some complaints. This includes the ability to block, on one’s public profile, any person who chooses to follow. There is also a better understanding of which users will let themselves appear on a public profile.

Google has corrected the rumour related to a possible split of Buzz from Gmail by outlining that an independent version of Buzz would only be an additional and separate option.


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