Google overhaul

DAILY DOT COM - Google is overhauling its privacy settings later this year.  The company started sending out notifications to its users, informing them of some new privacy changes.

Here's the deal -the company is completely changing the way it treats user data, linking information across its array of email, video and social-networking services so that information gathered in one place can be used in another. 

For example, if you spent the last hour logged onto Google, surfing the Web for skateboards, the next time you log onto YouTube, there's a good chance you'll get recommendations for videos featuring Tony Hawk.

The changes remove some of the legal hurdles that Google faced by having more than 70 different privacy policies.  Now there will be one main policy covering services like, Google Plus, Gmail, YouTube and Maps -with separate ones covering sensitive services like Google Wallet. 

Google says the idea is to improve user experience and give advertisers a better way to find customers.  However, lawmakers are questioning whether the changes give users enough control over their data and adequately protect consumers.

The angry backlash isn't just coming from Capitol Hill, when searching on Google itself, instructions on how to delete a Google account appears as an auto-complete suggestion as number three on the list.

Google immediately responded to the concerns in a statement and said it looks forward to answering questions and "clarifying misconceptions about its privacy changes."

The changes take effect March 1, 2012.