It was to be expected. EPIC has filed a complaint with the FTC over Google Buzz. From EPIC:
EPIC has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, urging the FTC to open an investigation into Google Buzz. Last week, Google tried to transform its popular email service into an untested social networking service. As a consequence, Google displayed social networking lists based on a user’s most frequent address book contacts. The change was widely criticized. EPIC’s complaint cites clear harms to service subscribers, and alleges that the change in business practices “violated user expectations, diminished user privacy, contradicted Google’s privacy policy, and may have violated federal wiretap laws.” EPIC also noted that the FTC has failed to take action in another matter involving Google and Cloud Computing services. For more information, see EPIC: In re Google Buzz and EPIC: Google Buzz Press Release.
As part of EPIC’s complaint, EPIC asks the FTC to:
- Compel Google to make Google Buzz a fully opt-in service for Gmail users;
- Compel Google to cease using Gmail users’ private address book contacts to compile social networking lists;
- Compel Google to give Google Buzz users more control over their information, by allowing users to accept or reject followers from the outset