The Biz of Coding

Google Desktop 4 not allowing deleting User Data on Google’s Servers?

by Ujwal Tickoo on May 12th, 2006

Google Desktop 4 is out. I would put a longer post on whats new on Google Desktop 4 v/s Google Desktop 3.

One surprising difference I found was that a crucial preference in Google Desktop 3 for "Search Across Computers" is missing from Google Destkop 4.  In Google Desktop 3 there was a button that allowed a user to Clear his/her files stored on Google’s Servers while using "Search Across Computers". I dont see this button in Google Desktop 4!

Here is a screen shot from Google Desktop 3.

This missing button is extremely surprising. Google (GOOG) actually has taken some steps to handle the privacy concerns for Enterprises. In its Press Release of May 10 Google states:

Google Desktop 4 now offers an option for network administrators to disable Search Across Computers on both the consumer and enterprise versions of the product at the network level by simply blocking access to a specific URL.

Does anyone know the reason behind this glaring disapperance?

If this change is for real and forcing people to not be able to delete their content from Google’s Servers. It is a so not cool act from a really cool company. Google, Google, Google, Oh Google! Whats on your mind, now?

POSTED IN: Desktop, Google Search