Google+ Shuts Online Predators' Accounts In Response to Consumer Watchdog Letter

While many of us just block, and steer clear of the smut on Google+, some of us actively fight to end it! We may not win the war, but each battle won saves countless children. 

In a letter to CEO Larry Page and Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, Consumer Watchdog's Privacy Director John M. Simpson wrote:

"Clearly you can police your network when you want to do so. Consumer Watchdog calls on you to continue such necessary efforts.  However, as explained below you have still failed to address a fundamental design flaw in Google+ that violates users' privacy and Consumer Watchdog urges you to remedy this situation immediately."

In December Consumer Watchdog wrote Google complaining that in an apparent quest to grow the user base as rapidly as possible, Google+ had been allowed to become a virtual playground for online predators and explicit sexual content.  

The whistleblower's report listed and gave links to seven of the most egregiously salacious Google+ accounts as examples including one user who described himself like this:

"Nice daddy or older brother type who loves all things pervy… will share pics but not publicly—been deleted before! 38 now and looking to chat and share pics with any gay guys (or straight or bi) that are into it. Any age is cool with me—who am I to tell you you're too young? Right? Anyhow, I will share more photos as I go and will be on messenger as time allows! Hope to visit with you all soon!"

This user's Circles also included over 100 boys. Many of the images were sexualized or nude images of children -- several who appeared to be under the age of 10 or even toddlers.

When the study was sent, Google+ offered several Communities in which minors (or even adults posing as minors) could openly advertise the trading of sexually explicit images and photographs of each other – a blatant violation of Google's User Content & Conduct Policy.   Google+ had several sexually explicit Communities specifically focused on minors and teens including "Horny Teens," "Horny Teen Chat," "Horny Teen Talk" and more.  In many of these Communities sexually explicit content focused on teens was not only tolerated, but actively encouraged. The community guidelines for the Horny Teens Community for instance read:

"About this community: Welcome to a community created for all the horny teens that need someone else. Explicit content may be present and is recommended and welcome here, [emphasis added] please just enjoy yourselves and let me know if there is anything I can do to make your experience better. ;)"

"Thankfully these accounts have been deleted.  Without a doubt you have the resources to continue to monitor the network and remove inappropriate material," wrote Simpson. "When it was called to your attention, you did so. Now Google must understand that part of the responsibility of the operator of a social network is to proactively monitor its content.  Consumer Watchdog calls on you to continue that necessary effort.  However, doing that is not enough.  You must address a fundamental design flaw in Google+ that compromises users' privacy."

While I fully support Consumer Watchdog's desire to protect children from predators, I do not agree with their desire to make Google+ more Facebook in design.  It is an impossible task to round up or close out every person from our life who we do not wish to associate with. We cannot design private highways for sex offenders, no matter how we wish we could.  

Simpson wrote to Page and Schmidt, "A user is forced to be publicly associated with someone with whom they do not wish to be associated.  For example, both of you are in my Circles and I rather suspect you'd prefer not to be. This is a fundamental privacy flaw and must be fixed.  People must have the right to choose with whom they are associated."

I would prefer for Google+ to work with we, the Google+ users in a cooperative way to ensure that our social media society remains as safe as virtually possible. We must give our citizens the skills and tools they need to effectively protect themselves and those who they love. 

The virtual world exploding is the matrix of our lives. We must connect traditional values, with new technology. The digital world is no longer a place for gaming and fantasy only. The digital world is the real world. It will not be long, until we each have our own avatar, and are walking online, into virtual stores and parties. Embrace open social technology without restricting and closing us off.  

Read Consumer Watchdog's December letter to Google here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/ltrgoogle121713.pdf

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

Selfies are Uncool & Fear of Data Sharing Rose Significantly in Last Two Years

McCann's 'Truth About Privacy' Study Also Finds Concerns About Bullying Are Shifting Social Media Behavior Among Youth

'Youth migration' patterns also underscore what's cool/not cool in social media

U.S. consumer attitudes and behavior related both to data sharing and social mediaoversharing have shifted significantly just within the last two years, according to a newly released "Truth About Privacy" study conducted by McCann Worldgroup. This "pendulum swing" is occurring across the board generationally, but is most pronounced among teens, whose "migration" across social media channels reflects growing concerns about bullying in addition to evolving opinions about what's cool or not.

The new quantitative study by McCann Truth Central, McCann Worldgroup's consumer intelligence unit, follows up on a similar report the agency conducted in 2011.  The latest wave of quantitative research was conducted in November 2013 with 1,100 U.S. consumers (aged 18+), and supplemented qualitatively with five group discussions with U.S. consumers aged 16-60 years old.

McCann Truth Central's latest wave of research found the following striking changes over the last two years:

• The #1 privacy fear that increased significantly since 2011 is that the government will use people's personal data against them in some way.
• Companies considered to be the greatest threat and that are the least trusted with data are the Silicon Valley companies, such as Google and Facebook.
• What did not change, however, is that banks are still the most trusted institution when it comes to using sensitive personal information properly.

In a surprising twist, this latest study has also uncovered new concerns, a kind of "privacy backlash," that has much more to do with a new consumer etiquette around what and how to share online.  "Selfie," for example, may be 2013's dictionary word of the year, but just under half of American under 34 say selfies are not cool. Similarly, reflecting that this is not just a young generational trend, 77% of people over the age of 35 consider posting frequent selfies on Instagram to be "uncool."

"We found evidence of a new trend towards being more selective and exclusive when it comes to sharing, even among the teenage generation," said Nadia Tuma, Deputy Director, McCann Truth Central. "As one of our young people said, 'the pendulum is swinging in the direction of more privacy.' This may explain why young people are moving from Facebook to Snapchat. It is becoming cooler to be a bit mysterious, like not being very searchable on Google."

"With social networks taking on a more dominant role in our lives, we face a myriad of potential social pitfalls," said Laura Simpson, Global Director, McCann Truth Central.  "Our findings point to new rules for navigating a world where privacy and publicity collide. The challenge lies in maintaining a delicate balance between making yourself seem interesting without looking vain."

Concerns about privacy, including bullying as a related aspect, are having a marked effect on youth migration patterns with regard to social media. Given the permanence of texts, tweets and status updates, bullying is changing the way people behave online. For example, youth in the survey explained their migration from Facebook to Snapchat as being partly attributed to greater privacy (and therefore less bullying).

But bullying is only one of what might be called "The 4 B's" that are defining currently accepted sharing and privacy practices with regard to social media. In addition to Bullying, these include avoiding Boring, Boasting and Begging behaviors as well.

BORING:

• Only 34% of people think posting routine activities as status updates on Facebook is COOL
• On the other hand, 64% of people think the less personal approach of frequently posting silly or funny articles on Facebook is COOL

BOASTING:

• Only 35% of people think frequently "checking in" your location on Foursquare is COOL
• 63% of people think having a personal style blog that chronicles your daily outfits is UNCOOL

BEGGING:

• 73% of people think adding people you don't know as LinkedIn connections is UNCOOL
• 72% of people think adding people you don't know as Facebook friends is UNCOOL
• 63% of people think defriending people who are not your "real" friends on Facebook is COOL

Brands can also fall afoul to these new rules. As the world of marketing continues to embrace applications related to data and social media, these new McCann Truth Central findings about the required balance between privacy and publicity extend to how American consumers view brand marketing behavior as well. Given these new rules, brands must be careful not to over-step the mark, as some of their actions could be considered "bullying" by some consumers:

• 66% of people think a brand using your content on their social media site without your permission is UNCOOL
• 57% of people think a brand calling you with an automated personalized message is UNCOOL

SOURCE McCann Worldgroup

G+ Network 2014 Teaser

2014 Here We Come!

G+ Network

Established August 2013

Over 2000 members strong and growing!

Over 60 Google+ Communities Around the World

2014 Teaser . . . 

Philanthropy

Each year we will select a philanthropy which will be our collective charitable effort for the year. 

Business Support

We offer free coaching and advise to business owners. By linking consumer, civic and trade communities under one network, we distinguish ourselves from stand alone communities. In addition to being affiliated communities, we are friends. We have built relationships and partnerships to promote best business practices and standards. 

Business Community Network

If you have a "trade" or "business" community we are interested in linking with you. We have a newly created support community for business owners, and will be working on ways to tackle the virtual world from a team environment. The virtual world can be lonely at times. You may be the first person you know exploring Google. We are here to help you. Specializing in working with those who are texually inexperienced. 

 Logo

We need a logo for 2014. The type of logo that will be used on letter head, favicon, bug, etc. 

Great resume builder for an emerging graphic artist.

About The G+ Network 

We're an organization of good people trying to do good things for each other. We do good things because it's the right thing to do, not because we are looking for reciprocation. 

If you value community organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, or Lions Club and similar type organizations, but have hesitated to join one due to their rigid in-person meeting requirements, this group is for you. We try to fulfill the role of these organizations, in a 21st century way that is more accurately aligned with the lifestyles of today's professionals. 

Mission Statement

To create a standardized network of G+ Communities that celebrates the role individuals play in society. By establishing a standard, we connect individuals seeking that person-to-person recommendation, interaction, and support needed to improve quality of life. By unifying good citizens, we create a method by which we make friends and connections throughout the world not based on race, religion, gender, or geography, but instead based on actions, knowledge, and collaboration. 

Membership Responsibilities

To have a desire to help others and to do what’s right without expectation of reciprocity. Join your local community to help others seeking information about your region and to connect with others geographically close by. Join foreign communities to learn about other places and lifestyles. Share your projects, ideas, and knowledge but leave your judgments and biases behind. Share the community and get connected. Seek out actively engaged people you think would benefit the community and invite them. Be willing to share and see what you can offer people. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know the answer. 

Link to G+ Network

New High-Profile Sports Academy Drafts Insider Media Management To Tackle PR Campaign

S3 Sports Academy's star-studded staff is set to change the landscape of athletic training.

Skill, speed and strength are what it takes to be a star athlete. The dream team that has come together to start S3 Sports Academy www.s3sportsacademy.com has made those traits their foundation.

S3 is a new athletic training center that was started to improve the model of athletic training by creating individualized programs for each athlete based on skill and sport.

The Miami-based sports academy has chosen Insider Media Management(www.insidermediamgmt.com) to execute a national public relations and social media campaign to spread the word about the cutting-edge, one-stop shop training facility for all athletes.

"We are extremely impressed by Insider Media Management's staff of former journalists who know how the media works, have the contacts and have a proven track record of success," says Brian Martin, S3 Sports Academy's founder and president.

"The key is inspiring athletes to be the best that they can be," said Olympic medalist and S3 partner Ato Boldon. "Specializing and catering to each skill set and guiding each S3 athlete on how to meet their individual goals are what makes S3 different."

"S3 Sports Academy's impressive individualized training experience and star-studded training staff is a powerful mix of content for Insider Media's team of reporters to take to our media contacts. We are thrilled to have this opportunity," says Insider Media President J.P. Hervis, a former TV journalist.

S3 Sports Academy has worked with several notable athletes including Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals defensive back, and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title. S3's training staff also includes several high-profile former NFL quarterbacks such as Chad Pennington, Jeff Garcia and Jay Fiedler.

Insider Media's Brian Spector says the S3 staff will inspire athletes of all ages. "Every athlete dreams of being in top shape and playing sports at a professional level," Spector says.

SOURCE Insider Media Management

G+ Network Interns

I am very excited to announce that the G+ Network will have several interns for the 2014 year. This is a great opportunity for anyone with a desire to learn more about business operations and networking.

Here is a reprint of a post I shared on my G+ Profile last week.

I want to live FREE!
I want to speak freely. I want to love free. I want to give free. I want a free mind.

I am not being unrealistic. I know there are bills to be paid, and giving everything away is not possible. However, somethings I can give away. 

Why would anyone want to give things away?
The answer is because I like it when people give me things for free. I like to encourage that free spirit in the world. We learn better when we are not worried about reciprocation or getting our moneys worth.

People are skeptical about free. The old saying, "You can't get something for nothing," does hold some weight. I do expect two things in return for my free offer. 

1 - I expect you to treat it with the same value and respect as if you paid for it. Free does not mean it is less valuable.

2 - I expect you to give, at some point in your life, when you are able to, give something free as well, to someone you know in the same capacity as you know me. . . maybe give something to a stranger.

Free is rewarding. Free is one of the bests gifts you can give someone. A free hand, helping someone change a tire, a free ear when someone is hurting, a free hug just because, or a free drink because you enjoyed the conversation. Free is nice, and nice is good. 

I have been working on a series of workshops, and I have been getting weighed down with the "business" side of running these events. Those operational pieces are really weighing me down. I have decided that I would like to host a FREE meet and greet in the Spring for the G+ family somewhere in the NY/NJ/CT area. Please let me know here or via private message, if you would be interested in attending, and if you have any interest in helping to organize it. Yes it will be a tremendous networking opportunity. The theme of this event is: FREE Yourself

The FREE mentality has unlocked so many doors for me and I want to share it with you. The more I give freely the more that returns to me. This seminar is the ultimate test, and example of what FREE can do! 

REMINDER: I am still accepting interns/trainee applications until next week. Once again, you do not have to be a college grad or any professional training. You need a smartphone, access to a computer, a commitment and desire to learn. Private message me for details. Share with anyone who you feel might benefit from working with me. After you have completed the training, I will help you build your resume, coach you for job interviews, and give you a professional recommendation. I have been a Corporate Manager for eight years, and a Regional Operations Sales Manager & Trainer for a nationally recognized and accredited supplemental education company for two years, and much more. I have been coaching and training privately for about 15 years. I am looking for a couple of great people to build a life long relationship with. Because my investment in you today, is investment in everyone's future. 

Like Verses +1

Business and Link Listings for G+ Network

We are getting the networking ball rolling. If you would like your link to be considered for submission in the directory, please add your links and websites, pages, to the comments below with a little descriptive blurb. 

You must be a member of the G+ Network to be listed.

Thank you!

G+ Network

#k10earth