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Raising data privacy awareness

For the second year, the U.S. and Canada are joining 27 European countries to celebrate <a href="http://www.intel.com/policy/dataprivacy.htm" id="naqe" title="Data Privacy Day 2009">Data Privacy Day</a> today. As we <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/celebrating-data-privacy.html" id="aw3:" title="explained">explained</a> last year, the lack of understanding about online data protection is a global issue. As increasing amounts of data get uploaded to the Internet every day, it becomes more and more important for people to understand the benefits and risks of online communications and to learn how to use available tools to control and manage the information they share online. To mark this special day of awareness, we are supporting an event hosted by the Information Technology Association of America called "<a href="http://www.itaa.org/events/event.cfm?EventID=2849" id="m.2p" title=""Data Privacy Day: Increasing Privacy Awareness and Trust."">Data Privacy Day: Increasing Privacy Awareness and Trust</a>." We'll join U.S. and European government officials and key members of the privacy community on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, to discuss how to increase public awareness about data privacy. This event is a part of our ongoing constructive dialogue with regulators and legislators, consumer and industry groups, and think tanks and privacy advocates to discuss how to protect user information. Our efforts to raise data privacy awareness extend beyond the public policy arena; we aim to connect directly with our users, too. We're committed to protecting users' online privacy by following the principles of transparency and choice. We're transparent about the data we collect, and we design products that give people control over the information they share. Earlier this year, we <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/privacy-made-easier.html" id="b:_5" title="revamped our Privacy Center">revamped our Privacy Center</a>, where we offer <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/privacy_faq.html" id="tjsk" title="information">information</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=FCEE46AA997A23D9" id="p9cs" title="tips">tips</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/googleprivacy" id="a-s1" title="videos">videos</a> that explain Google's privacy practices and show people how they can control what data they share. The Privacy Center also includes a link to a <a title="blog series" href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-we-help-track-flu-trends.html" id="x3jy">series of blog posts</a> about how we use data to improve our products and services for our users. We recently translated the Privacy Center into multiple languages so that we can better serve people all around the world. We're also continuously working on innovative services and features that make information available to people in new ways, but with built-in privacy controls. For example, we introduced privacy-protective <a href="http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2008/05/street-view-revisits-manhattan.html" id="lwfx" title="face-blurring">face-blurring</a> for Street View earlier this year. And the launch of our browser, Google Chrome, included a feature for surfing the Internet in "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWk8uGdUEkQ&feature=channel_page" id="esch" title="incognito mode">incognito mode</a>." For the coming year, we want to improve our privacy practices even more by engaging in further dialogue with people who use our products and services, offering up easier-to-understand policies, and providing more privacy tools and controls. We hope that you'll take a few minutes on Data Privacy Day to <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/privacy.html">explore our Privacy Center</a> and learn about our commitment to this important issue. Posted by Peter Fleischer and Jane Horvath, Global Privacy Counsel

Raising data privacy awareness

For the second year, the U.S. and Canada are joining 27 European countries to celebrate Data Privacy Day today. As we explained last year,...

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More computing, less power

In the fall we posted information about the <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/saving-electricity-one-data-center-at.html">efficiency of Google data centers</a> and promised to update this information every quarter. We've now collected data for the fourth quarter of 2008 and published them to our <a href="http://www.google.com/corporate/green/datacenters/">sustainable computing website</a>. Specifically, we're keeping track of the efficiency of any Google-designed data center with an IT load of at least 5 MW and a time-in-operation of at least 6 months. In Q4 our average power and cooling overhead in these facilities was 16%, bringing the overhead for the trailing 12 months to 19% (down from 21% a quarter earlier). For comparison, a recent EPA report put the overhead of the average enterprise data center at 100% or higher. We're very happy to have further improved our efficiency, and a number of factors contributed to that result. First, efficiency is affected by seasonal weather patterns — cooler weather is better than hot weather, and several of our facilities benefited from that in Q4. Also, we continually review our efficiency metrics so that we notice, for example, that one of our data centers is not performing consistently with others of similar size and locale. So we'll take a closer look at optimizing that facility. Are we using fans to cool spaces that don't need to be cooled? Is the thermostat at the right set-point? Can we reduce the time the chillers need to run while keeping the machines operational? So we apply lessons we've learned from better-performing data centers to other facilities, and several such improvements took place in Q4. For the nitty-gritty technical details, visit our <a href="http://www.google.com/corporate/green/datacenters/measuring.html">data center efficiency page</a>. While we've made a lot of progress in data center efficiency, we're still learning. As we continue to explore ways to use the least amount of power to do the most amount of computing, we'll continue to share our data and best practices with you. In early March we will participate in the <a href="http://www.cebit.de/homepage_e">CeBIT conference</a> where we plan to disclose more details on our sustainability efforts as part of this year's theme of "Green IT." Stay tuned. Posted by Urs Hölzle, Senior Vice President, Operations

More computing, less power

In the fall we posted information about the efficiency of Google data centers and promised to update this information every quarter. We...

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An update from the Project 10^100 team

As part of our tenth birthday celebration, in September we <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/project-10100.html">announced</a> Project 10^100, a call for ideas to help as many people as possible, and a program to bring the best of those ideas to life. The response we received has wowed and humbled us. People sent in more than 150,000 ideas, with submissions in all of the 25 languages for which we had a submission form. Proving that there is strength in numbers, many people submitted similar ideas for tackling big problems. All of this reviewing and sorting has kept Googlers around the world quite busy. Because of the sheer number of ideas we received, we were unable to compile the list of finalists in time for our January 27 target and will have to push back that announcement to March 17 (St. Patrick's Day). We apologize for the delay and encourage you to return to the <a href="http://www.project10tothe100.com/">site</a> on that date to vote for your favorite ideas. Perhaps the luck of the Irish will be with you and yours, or a similar idea will be a finalist! Update on 3/16: We will unfortunately have to delay announcing the top ideas for Project 10^100 for a while longer. We've never managed a project like this and it's taken more time than we ever imagined possible. We apologize for our over optimistic assumptions about how quickly we could analyze all the ideas that we've received, and thank everyone for their patience. We'll continue posting updates on Project 10^100 here. Posted by Andy Berndt, Managing Director, Google Creative Lab

An update from the Project 10^100 team

As part of our tenth birthday celebration, in September we announced Project 10^100, a call for ideas to help as many people as possible, a...

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A look back at spam in 2008

Most people think of "spam" as an unwelcome email that arrives – or, better yet, doesn't – in an email inbox, announcing some pesky, unsavory, or offensive opportunity that we most likely would rather not know about. But for the Google Enterprise team focused on spam that affects business (or, more accurately, on preventing it), the word means more. Looking back over 2008, a year where spam levels rose more than 25% compared with 2007, we have some memorable moments to share. From November's breakthrough "takedown" of a global spam proliferator to the day in April when spam hit an all-time high and the growing threat of link-borne viruses, the Google Enterprise "spam squad" (the team behind the products in our "powered by Postini" family) recaps "The Year in Spam" and provides an outlook for 2009 that might help you understand what to watch out for this year – and how you can keep email threats at bay. Head on over to the <a href="http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008-year-in-spam.html">Enterprise Blog</a> for more. Posted by Ellen Petry Leanse, Google Enterprise Team

A look back at spam in 2008

Most people think of "spam" as an unwelcome email that arrives – or, better yet, doesn't – in an email inbox, announcing some ...

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How to become a Dummies.com author

I am excited to announce the Knol for Dummies.com competition. I'm particularly excited about this contest because I'm an avid fan of "For Dummies" books and <a href="http://www.dummies.com/">Dummies.com</a>. For instance, as a product marketing manager, I had no experience programming when I first joined Google. And, while coding isn't part of my official job description, it quickly became apparent that knowing some basic CSS/HTML could really go a long way. So, I ordered "CSS Web Design for Dummies" and quickly learned the basics of web design. Now, on the new Dummies.com site, that same expert how-to content is available in video, photo step-by-steps, articles, and author blogs. Knol is a great place for individuals to share this type of how-to content. (Full disclosure: I am the product's marketing manager :-) Knols are articles written by people who are knowledgeable about specific subjects. Anyone can write one; there are <a href="http://knol.google.com/k/knol-help/knol-templates/si57lahl1w25/102#" id="lajj" title="template">templates</a> to show you how to easily get started. You can <a href="https://knol.google.com/k/knol-help/embedding-objects-in-your-knol/si57lahl1w25/86#" id="absf" title="embed media">embed media</a> to better illustrate a topic, <a href="http://knol.google.com/k/knol-help/managing-your-author-profile/si57lahl1w25/17#" id="r4dd" title="provide information about your self">provide information about yourself</a> to build your credibility, and <a href="http://knol.google.com/k/knol/knol/Help#Can_I_collaborate_with_other_authors%283F%29" id="nb-o" title="collaborate with others">collaborate with others</a> to improve your knol over time. And now we're offering an opportunity to have your knol featured on Dummies.com.* Simply go to the official contest page, create your own knol about a subject you know well, and the contest judges will select five finalists who will be eligible to have their knols featured on the Dummies.com site. In addition, the best entry overall will be awarded a $1,000 grand prize. Check out our <a title="our contest microsite" href="http://www.google.com/landing/knolfordummies/">contest microsite</a> for the Official Rules and more details. Submissions are open through March 23, 2009. So start racking your brain and show what you know. We can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. * Subject to Official Rules, see site for details. Posted by Matt Ghering, Product Marketing Manager

How to become a Dummies.com author

I am excited to announce the Knol for Dummies.com competition. I'm particularly excited about this contest because I'm an avid fan o...

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The Pope on YouTube

The Pope on YouTube

(Cross-posted from the YouTube blog ) Today we're delighted to announce that the Vatican has launched a dedicated YouTube channel. To fi...

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Announcing Google's Employee Option Exchange Program

Today we announced our plans to do something more for the people who are responsible for Google's success — our employees. Recognizing that about 85% of our employees have at least some stock options that are underwater (i.e., have an exercise price higher than the current market price of our common stock), we plan to offer our employees the opportunity to exchange those options. Our goal is to continue to reward our employees for their contributions and do everything we can to keep them engaged and focused on serving our users. Here's how the employee option exchange program would work: <ul><li> This will be a one-for-one, voluntary exchange. Employees will be able to exchange part or all of an existing option grant for the same number of new options.</li><li> The offer period will begin on January 29, 2009 and end at 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time on March 3, 2009, unless Google is required or opts to extend the offer period.</li><li> Based on this expected timeline, employees will be able to exchange their underwater options for new options with a strike price equal to the closing price of our stock on March 2, 2009.</li><li> The new options will have a new vesting schedule that adds 12 months to the original vesting schedule. In addition, new options will vest no sooner than 6 months after the close of the offer period.</li><li> Generally, all Googlers with options are eligible to participate (Eric Schmidt, Sergey Brin, and Larry Page do not hold options) except where precluded by legal and tax issues in certain countries. We are working to address these issues and the final offer documentation will specify any countries in which we are not able to offer the program. </li><li> This option exchange program has been approved by our Board of Directors.</li></ul>The number of Google shares subject to outstanding options will not change as a result of this employee-only option exchange. The total number of options expected to be exchanged in this program represents less than 3% of total shares currently outstanding. We expect to take a modification charge estimated to be $460 million over the vesting periods of the new options. These vesting periods range from six months to approximately five years. This modification charge will be recorded as additional stock based compensation beginning in the first quarter of 2009. This estimate assumes an exchange price of approximately $300 per share and that all eligible underwater options will be exchanged under this program. As a result, this estimate is subject to change. If you're interested in learning more about this employee-only stock option exchange, we encourage you to read our related SEC filings when they become available. The option exchange described in this post has not launched. When the option exchange begins, Google will provide employees with written materials explaining the terms and timing. Eligible optionholders should read these materials carefully when they become available because they will contain important information about the option exchange. When the offer period begins, Google will file these materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as part of a tender offer statement. You will be able to obtain these written materials and other documents filed by Google with the SEC free of charge from the SEC's website at <a href="http://www.sec.gov/">www.sec.gov</a>. The $300 exchange price provided above is intended as an example only. We expect that the actual modification charge we take as a result of the option exchange will be determined based on the exercise price and number of options exchanged as well as the closing price of our stock on March 2, 2009, unless Google is required or opts to extend the offer period. Update @ 6:41 PM: Our <a href="http://services.google.com/blog_resources/google_external_faq_openexchange.pdf">FAQ</a> on the option exchange program is now available. Update on 2/5: On February 3, 2009, Google launched the option exchange program. Please note that the dates in this post are no longer valid. Written materials explaining the terms and updated timing of the option exchange are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at <a href="http://www.sec.gov/">www.sec.gov</a>. Posted by Laszlo Bock, VP, People Operations

Announcing Google's Employee Option Exchange Program

Today we announced our plans to do something more for the people who are responsible for Google's success — our employees. Recognizing ...

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