The internet set about changing the world in a seriously...
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Earlier this winter Google quietly without as much as the slightest press release disbanded its reverse phone lookup tool. This is despite a considerable increase in popularity over the use of such a tool and the fact that it was Google’s inaugural extra-search feature some years ago. When pressed Google said the decision was based on the combination of the volume of complaints they received from people upset they could find themselves, and the lack of advertising profit they were receiving from keeping the tool in operation.
Perhaps it was the super-celebrity status of Google that incited the uproar. Not only are there several other online entities offering the same service, but ones are continually coming into existence and the service itself seems like one people are more than happy to use. While allowing you to be listed in a phonebook has its risks and benefits, so does having said information available to be searched for in reverse. Neither seems any more risky than the other. I’m honestly trying to figure out what was so upsetting to Google users about finding out someone can look their phone number up and find their listed name and address.
I love Google Apps. All of my personal domains use Google Apps for email, calendar, and documents, and I highly recommend the product to anyone setting up email and collaboration services for a domain.
I know I’m not alone in my love for Google Apps; thousands of businesses, organizations, and individuals use Google Apps for their domains. And today, after receiving government certification to ensure that their infrastructure was secure enough to handle sensitive information, Google may have another client: the United States government. You see, the Google Apps system that I and many other users enjoy, may soon be the collaboration system that some government agencies choose to use as apposed to hosting, managing, and deploying their own in-house collaboration and email services.
