ANTenna Blog -- Internet/Web

The new Web browser from the Googleplex is a brand new beta, but its most problematic feature isn't found in the technology. It's in the license agreement.

Chrome's technology may be cutting edge, some of the things in the license agreement you accept when you install it are sharp enough to make you bleed. Here are some things observers have identified already, including Art Wittman at InformationWeek and Daya Baran at WebGuild:

1. Google reserves the right to automatically update the browser, without your explicit permission!

The software which you use may automatically download and install updates from time to time from Google. These updates are designed to improve, enhance and further develop the services and may take the form of bug fixes, enhanced functions, new software modules and completely new versions. You agree to receive such updates (and permit Google to deliver these to you) as part of your use of the services.

That should be a big red flag for anyone. The software you download now may not be the software on your computer at a later date, and you may not even know it.

2. Google reserves the a perpetual, nonrevocable, transferable license to any content that runs through Chrome!

11.1 ...By submitting, posting, or displaying the content, you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute, and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services.

11.2 You agree that this license includes a right for Google to make such Content available to other companies, organizations, or individuals with whom Google has relationships for the provision of syndicated services, and to use such Content in connection with the provision of those services.

3. You may end up seeing ads in the browser itself!

17.1 Some of the Services are supported by advertising revenue and may display advertisements and promotions. These advertisements may be targeted to the content of information stored on the Services, queries made through the Services or other information.

17.3 In consideration for Google granting you access to and use of the Services, you agree that Google may place such advertising on the Services.

All that hasn't stopped me from using putting one of Chrome's Application Shortcuts on my desktop to provide instant, streamlined access to my Gmail account, but it's definitely got me thinking. And you should be to.

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