Microsoft beats Google in privacy stakes

Privacy International, a pressure group on privacy issues, recently rated Google as the worst performer in a ranking of major web services companies, worse even than Microsoft. The summary report notes a catalogue of privacy concerns with the way Google operates (some of which have landed it in court facing EU action), and contrasts that with Microsoft's moves to improve its privacy stance in recent years.

The report's conclusion notes that none of the surveyed companies came out semlling of roses.

"Overall, the privacy standard of the key Internet players is appalling, with some companies demonstrating either wilful or a mindless disregard for the privacy rights of their customers. Even the better performing companies create lapses of privacy that are avoidable. With minimal effort most organizations can improve their privacy performance by at least one grade."