Google today, as part of their ongoing effort to make the web faster, is launching their own public DNS resolver called Google Public DNS, and they invite you to try it out
(Read: Google has entered the domain name resolution business, part of its ongoing effort to control just about everything you do on the net).
DNS (Domain Name System) converts text urls into numeric IP addresses. This is typically handled by your ISP (Internet Service Provider), but Google wants to keep the task to itself. It says this will bring your internet experience more speed and more safety.
Since 2005, a similar service has been available from a startup known as OpenDNS (the one I am currently using). One difference, Google says, that its new service will not redirect you to landing pages if you mistype an address.
“Sometimes, in the case of a query for a mistyped or non-existent domain name, the right answer means no answer, or an error message stating the domain name could not be resolved,” the company explains. “Google Public DNS never blocks, filters, or redirects users, unlike some open resolvers and ISPs.”
Yes, it seems to be a reference to OpenDNS, which redirects users to ad-enabled pages when names don’t resolve. Google, carefully avoided even mentioning the “a” word when they announced its Public DNS. It merely says it doesn’t do “redirection”. OpenDNS founder David Ulevitch reacts on his own blog.
To think that Google’s DNS service is for the benefit of the Internet would be naive. They know there is value in controlling more of your Internet experience and I would expect them to explore that fully.
Among other things, this gives Google access to even more of the web’s data.
Next up: Wordpress Jazz…
December
2009
I am amazed at how much negativity Google is getting lately. And much of it is unfunded in my opinion. It is almost seems like people are looking for a new “Microsoft” to bash.
As long as Google was small and independent it was fine because they we’re kicking the establishments ass. But now Google has gotten big and mainstream (i.e. part of the establishment), they suddenly are seen as a threat?
Unlike Microsoft, Google has not showed any signs of abuse whatsoever (like buying competitors and then killing of their products or blackmailing hardware companies to selling their products with Windows for instance – to mention just a few documented court cases that Microsoft lost).
(Online) privacy is an illusion anyway.
No matter what DNS you use, your data is collected somewhere.
Just and example: Dutch ISP’s are legally required to safe and store all their customers internet data for 6 months (as of July this year; it was 18 months). Under the same telecom law all your phone calls (either mobile of land line) are stored for 12 months as well.
So who should you mistrust more? Google or your own government?
Regarding the comment about not resolving a DNS name and showing a custom “not found page”: this is very common (in the USA) and not just a practice of OpenDNS.
My girlfriend has had 3 providers in the last 5 years and each of them (AT&T, Sprint, and now Comcast) did this.
Even in Holland ISP’s , for instance UPC, have their own customized “not found” page.
So linking Google’s comment to OpenDNS is just nonsense: there are way more users seeing their own ISP’s custom pages than there are users of OpenDNS!
OpenDNS just saw an opportunity to place themselves into an underdog position against Google and just seized that opportunity. It’s called PR!
So OpenDNS’ response to Google’s launch of their own service is just that: comments from one (scared) competitor about another. Like BMW saying that Mercedes sucks. Or Microsoft about Apple products.
It’s a free market and OpenDNS should get over the fact they are no longer alone.
Now, regarding the privacy of Google’s DNS service: if you look at http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/privacy.html you get explained exactly what information they store.
The short of it:
“Google Public DNS does not permanently store personally identifiable information.”
Information is stored temporarily for a maximum of 48hrs.
Again: that is less information then your current provider stores.
Google’s whole business ethics are based on their credibility when it come their handling of privacy.
If it ever turns out they abuse their position and trust in any way it is all over and they can close their company.
So the conclusion that:
“Google has entered the domain name resolution business, part of its ongoing effort to control just about every thing you do on the net.”
To me seems silly.
Think of it this way: if you want to run a successful company, what is the first business principle you should follow?
The answer is: helping and empowering your customers to achieve their goals and needs.
In other words: you will only make money if you provide products of services that help your customer and – only then – in return it will profit your company.
Every product of business idea Google has put in the market since their launch has been in line with this principle.
It is the very reason why Google is successful.
So it makes very much sense that Google comes up with all kinds of initiatives and services that enhance their Google products (GoogleOS, Chrome).
Having a fast and reliable DNS service is just one of them.
December
2009
You expect me to read all that, with all those spelling errors?
December
2009
By some people, Google is the holy grail everything they do is cool and awesome, Microsoft became the company they are now because nobody cared. My point is that people have to stay on their wits, so that Google doesn’t become the Microsoft of the internet. The reason we have a crappy internet experience is partly to blame to Microsoft, they have STILL browser/OS domination, which slows down innovation, which makes a bad user experience, so it’s nice to see Google innovate but don’t point your finger to a commercial party who does operate in the same market you would like to and “advertise”. There’s nothing wrong with advertising and making money. And Chrome and Google OS, common there’s is nothing innovative there, seen that, done that.
December
2009
Don’t get me started on spelling errors.
December
2009
People, please play nice with each other and stay on topic!
December
2009
As I wrote:
Google’s whole business ethics are based on their credibility when it come their handling of privacy.
If it ever turns out they abuse their position and trust in any way it is all over and they can close their company.
I think that it is a far more positive attitude to give them the benefit of the doubt that just waiting for them to make a mistake.
Again: their track record so far speaks for itself.
December
2009
Just like Microsoft can close down their company because they’ve abused their position? How naive!
Can I hear an AMEN and give they guy a Google DevCamp T-shirt
December
2009
Ok, so what your saying is that you worry more about Google than your own government that actually DOES store personal identifiable information about you (including emails, telephone records etc..) under European law?
How naïve indeed.
December
2009
But then again: I guess it’s the general attitude among many people nowadays: waiting to see how some one makes a mistake so you they can say: “I told you so”.
December
2009
Comparing Microsoft in this matter with Google is far from realistic. How can you close a company that (still) has a – de facto – monopoly?
Whole companies depend on Microsoft products. Not so with Google.
Google depends on private customers.
So unlike with Microsoft the minute Google users do not trust Google they have dozens of (free) alternatives to run too.
And trust me: they will. Thats what I mean with “they can close their company”.
December
2009