Google’s new social networking site Buzz is making a lot of buzz but it is not exactly sweet music to the Internet giant’s ears.
Following criticism that it infringed upon users’ privacy, Google last week changed certain features on automatically following the people one interacted with most on Gmail. It gave the user the choice.
Not done, it not only offered an apology but introduced further changes. Besides, Google said, it was planning further updates and going to change how it tested new features.
“We’ve heard your feedback loud and clear, and since we launched Google Buzz four days ago, we’ve been working around the clock to address the concerns you’ve raised,” Todd Jackson, product manager for Gmail and Google Buzz, said in a blog.
“Today, we wanted to let you know about a number of changes we’ll be making over the next few days based on all the feedback we’ve received.”
He said the company might test new features with friends and family of Google employees. Further refinements, including features that help people filter what postings they see and block certain conversations, are also in the works, he noted.
Google also said it would make it easy for consumers to hide or turn off Buzz and would no longer automatically connect Picasa photo albums and Google Reader items to Buzz.
Earlier tests were done just among employees, and this the company conceded was not enough. This open admission however did not satisfy privacy watchdogs who alleged that the company was playing with consumers’ private information.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center said it would still file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission Tuesday.
Google launched the social networking service inside millions of Gmail accounts last week in its latest bid to counter the growing popularity of Facebook (4 million users) and Twitter.
Google said tens of millions of Gmail users tried Buzz in the first 48 hours.