Microsoft is taking a chance to poke Google in the eye during all the concern and hubbub around Google changes to its privacy policies. On the Official Microsoft Blog, Microsoft even offers links to some stories on other websites that talk about concerns and complaints users of Google have with the privacy policy changes. It's clear that Microsoft is set to capitalize on Google's woes as much as possible.
The author of the post on the Microsoft blog is Frank X. Shaw, Corporate Vice President for Corporate Communications at Microsoft. Shaw writes that is clear from the coverage that consumers are looking for alternatives to Google services because they're concerned about their information. Shaw writes that Google's changes make it harder, not easier for users of its services to control their information.
Then Shaw takes the opportunity to promote Microsoft's alternative services that directly compare with Google services. The services Microsoft is talking up include Hotmail, Bing, Office 365, and Internet Explorer. Microsoft is also set to run ads touting its alternative to Google's services in major newspapers this week all around the country as a way to remind users that it also offers services similar to what Google has.
Google is taking a lot of heat over the
changes in its privacy policies, and has even received a letter from Congress asking for clarification on the pending changes. Google says it's not changing anything, and is simply consolidating the policies for about 60 different services it offers into one document. Google maintains that its goal for the changes is to make it easier for users of various Google services to have their information available to them no matter what service they're using.
Some fear this is a way for Google to access more of their personal information for marketing purposes. However, Google is very clear that it is keeping all your private information private.
