Print
Google wants to know what sites you visit, when you visit them, and what you do when you're there. It wants to spy on your Web surfing behavior, to know details that perhaps even your significant other doesn't know, and it's willing to pay you if you'll agree to let it relentlessly follow you around the Web. If you do, you'll receive up to $25 in cold, hard... gift certificates.
It's part of a new project called Screenwise, and if you agree to become a panelist, you'll be asked to install a nosy browser extension that snoops what sites you visit and how you use them, and then shares that information with Google.
"What we learn from you, and others like you, will us improve Google products and services and make a better online experiences for everyone," Google explains.
After signing up and downloading the extension, Google's panel management partner, Knowledge Networks, will send you a $5 Amazon gift card code. You'll then receive another $5 code every three months as long as you continue to participate, up to $25. If you do that math, that works out to a little over $2 per month in Amazon currency for a full year of snooping.
There may be an opportunity to earn even more. According to Arstechnica, Google has a second option in mind. It's offering to send out a limited number of specially modified Cisco-brand routers (Screenwise Data Collectors) to spy on your entire household in exchange for a $100 up front and an additional $20 per month for up to a year of participation.
If that's a big enough bribe, or if you simply want to help Google with its mission, you can sign up here.
Comments are closed on this article
Dark Blade
February 09, 2012 at 3:17pm
It's sad how many here are willing to give up their privacy for $25 handed out in $5 increments.
Slurpy
February 10, 2012 at 12:17am
At least Google is going about it reasonably, instead of behind our backs like the ISPs.
Modred189
February 09, 2012 at 12:13pm
Signups are closed, but I would have opted in. I mean, they know so much already, and I don't have anything to hide, so I figure why not: I might as well make a buck.
SleepyCatChris
February 09, 2012 at 11:50am
"bribe"? "spy"? You are not using these words appropriately.
Regardless, no thanks, Google.
TRYER
February 19, 2012 at 1:07pm
That is what I was thinking lol. Anyone for goat on goat? Hope that isn't against the law in that state. 25 years for 25 bucks. NO TY.
someuid
February 09, 2012 at 11:09am
yeah, sign up for this and then put some automatic web crawler on your spare pc and walk away - enjoy free cash
wolfing
February 09, 2012 at 11:06am
since the government is probably already doing all the tracking they want, might as well get paid for it... where do I sign?
