As a long time Google fan boy, I recently ditched them for the reasons emphasised in this article.

Open source and/or locally based alternatives are the way forward.

It's so easy to download/archive your gmails and block their ads.

I think Google are overstepping the mark now. The change to 2 year data storage is a step forward, but it's a compromise I'm not willing to make.

dude, dudetown,

you have the freedom not to use google!!

iain morris, Milton Keynes,

Looking at the positive side, suppose Google did have access to both your DNA record and a log of all your past searches. This could lead to some rapid advances in genetic research: for example people with particular genes might search for specific subjects. For example certain genes determine whether a person is a saver or a spender: Google could discover these and many more genes by correlating search terms ("savings accounts" or "credit cards") with DNA. Why do people on here always focus on the negative side? (it's probably in their genes...)

Andrew Montgomery, Manchester, England

I use Google's services and I am aware of its information gathering motives. The internet is rapidly coming under the influence of a few large organizations. The whole idea was to provide greater choice and access to information for online users - not have someone snoop into your business !

Is Google getting too big for its boots ?? We will be saying its time to log on to the Google instead of the internet soon.

David, Swindon, Wiltshire

This is really scary stuff.

Everybody should seriously consider surfing from behind the protection of a proxy. Check out Tor at http://tor.eff.org/ to get details of a really good way of staying anonimous and secure online.

Roger, Sheffield,

A Russian photo-sharing web site recently had an amusing screen dump of someone typing rude Russian words into its new language_tools page. The English translations had been bowdlerised.

Childish, perhaps, but who's to say that more important pieces of text will not also be subtly altered by Google's translation service? In ways that have less to do with primness?

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

With this strategy, Google is expanding from virtual personalisation to physical personalisation. Were is the ultimate goal? Will Google now be trying to buy into the NHS databases and index every UK citizens medical records?

Stewart Farquhar, Isle of Bute, UK

We are fast approaching the day when privicy is a luxury for the few. It is essential now that something be done about the potential threat to our liberty. We are becoming more and more dependent on search engines but the abuse of stored information may indeed create fear of their utilization. Until something big happens we should all try to enjoy the last bit of freedom we have before the big bang.

I see that under this column you have a click box *Remember me* I would prefer one that said the opposite!

Gerald Jones, Cardiff, UK

That's scary!

Peter, london,

Be it Google or Yahoo, the Big Brothers of the virtual Internet world ,are prying and spying into the privacy of its users. By holding the databank of their personal info , are we not susceptible to the phenomenon we may call as " electronic voyeurism" The project undertaken by Google to create a vast and mammoth DNA Bank of its users, seems plausible and viable too.... but in case there are some chinks in the armour, and some information and vital data being leaked to some unscruplous elements or hankers, it can create havoc. Hope these Big Brothers will keep some impenetrable tabs on their data cans and lids...to maintain the confidentiality of it.. We are living in a world where deluge of electronic gizmos like spy cams and miniature camcods etc. are prying into the privacy, even taking a peek-a-boo into the bedroom life of the people.With days to come, every person's life will be like an open web book.

Sandy, New Delhi, i