Google & the FBI Do More than Search and Sleuth, They Teach Data Privacy

Educational programs designed to teach safe surfing and internet security can come from unusual sources and in unexpected packages. Google's planned seminars on data privacy and the FBI's SOS (safe online surfing) program are cases in point. The first is more of a public service resulting from the recent verdict in Google's Wi-Spy debacle. The second is the FBI's attempt to start teaching safe surfing skills while young. The idea is that the next generation will surf smarter and perhaps stay away from cybercrime. 

Google ranks as unusual because Wi-Spy is the result of data gathering gone awry. Street View cars were used to access unprotected Wi-Fi networks, and so the serious charge of privacy violation. Google got off with a slap on the wrist in the form of a $7 million fine. It was then tasked with setting up seminars on internet security that it would upload to YouTube. Google also has to educate its own employees on network security and individual privacy. The key theme will surely be password protection.

The offender being ordered to teach about the crime may sound like weird logic. But Google makes for a great candidate, and who has more experience in web surfing? Not everyone is happy with this aspect of Google as a public service provider. Consumer Watchdog thinks that Google is obsessed with stuffing its "digital dossiers" with consumer data.

The FBI takes a kid-friendly approach safe surfing and internet security awareness. The SOSprogram has especially proven a hit with middle school students. This is because with its island adventure theme it’s as much as fun as it is educational. The fun part is in the form of online games and challenges, with schools from all over US vying for the top honor. The winner of the 2013 SOS title was a small school in St. Louis, St. Ambrose.