In the excitement over a shiny, dependable new interface equipped with a host of added features, one issue in the SAS Webmail switch is often overlooked: Can either Google or Microsoft be trusted to handle important student information?
Penn's School of Arts and Sciences is currently in the midst of negotiations with both companies to replace its consistently unreliable Webmail service - which broke down numerous times last semester, including during the last week of classes - and a choice is expected soon.
But those concerned about the switch cite the vague privacy policies of both Google and Microsoft as a sign that school officials should be wary of any move.
Both companies' privacy policies say they will release information only if it poses dangers to the company's "rights or property" - a clause that potentially can be broadly interpreted.
And it's a clause that gives some members of the Penn community a reason for pause.
"The privacy of the people in the Penn community is something to think about," History and Sociology of Science professor Nathan Sivin said. "It's our administration's responsibility, and I think that has to be balanced against their free service."
Google or Microsoft could, for example, turn over to government officials profiles of their users' browsing patterns upon request, even without a legitimate court order.
In talks with the two companies - which have lasted since the fall - SAS Vice Dean of Administration and Finance Ramin Sedehi said SAS officials have tried to address these same concerns but would not elaborate on the details of the negotiations.
Privacy and security concerns are the main reasons for the delay of the school's decision, which was initially planned for the beginning of January, Sedehi said.
Microsoft Senior Product Manager Walter Harp wrote in an e-mail that the company usually invokes the clause in cases of spam or child pornography but would not rule out other cases in which Microsoft could release information.
Google Product Manager Rajen Sheth said that "Google treats security and privacy of all users as paramount" but would not provide any specifics about its privacy policy.
However, both Google and Microsoft admit to collecting large quantities of data about their users. According to their privacy policies, the two companies collect voluntarily-provided user information, search history, and copies of all e-mail correspondence.
Harp said that, under Microsoft's policy, Penn students would have the option of creating anonymous accounts without any personally identifying information attached.
Google would not respond to inquiries on whether they would also offer this option.
And while privacy concerns could hold serious implications for Penn students, many often ignore the implications of providing information online, Communications professor Joseph Turow said.
Wharton and Engineering sophomore Jonathan Coveney is troubled by privacy issues but doesn't consider himself the norm for Penn students.
"Most Penn students are very apathetic about technology," Coveney said. "I just don't think a typical Penn student would care."
Turow said this response is typical, adding that not enough people are careful about protecting their privacy online.
"Lots of people trust Google implicitly just by" signing up for an account, he said.
Whichever service is eventually picked, it's expected that it will be mandatory for the incoming Class of 2011, Sedehi said.
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