EPIC files for Google Buzz to become Opt-In

Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) have filed a complaint with the FCC against Google Buzz not being an Opt-In service.

There has been a lot of controversy against Google’s privacy regulations since the release of Buzz, one of which is that all Gmail users were automatically signed up to Google Buzz and were not given an option to ‘Opt-In’. Not only were you forced to have an account your account was automatically made public allowing people to see who you talk to frequently. Google responded quickly and released changes which allowed you to block this along with other features, however, EPIC want to go one step further.

EPIC’s complaint :

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; and
Provide such other relief as the Commission finds necessary and appropriate.

Read more at the EPIC press release (PDF) and the FCC complaint (PDF)