About Clark Howard
Find more answers to your consumer questions, plus Clark’s new book “Living Large for the Long Haul,” at ClarkHoward.com.
Listen to Clark Howard weeknights from 6 to 9 p.m. on AM1290/95.7FM News Talk WHIO.
Google wants to use your image and name in ads without compensating you. That is, unless you complete their simple opt-out procedure.
In the never-ending quest for revenue, the search giant has new terms of service going into effect Nov. 11. And unless you make the right selection, Google will have the right to take your name, photo and product reviews from your Google+ account and turn them into what they’re calling “shared endorsements.”
Let me say this first: This only matters if you have a Google+ account. If you only have a Gmail account, but not Google+, this does not pertain to you. And if you don't have either and only use Google for search, you can definitely ignore this.
But if you are in the Google+ orbit, Google’s new shared endorsements policy means they can serve up custom ads that will go only to people they know to be your friends, family and colleagues. Those ads will have your picture and words from you coupled with a promotional message for their paying advertisers. (Under the new TOS, those who are under 18 won’t have any of their material used in shared endorsements.)
Want to opt out of Google’s invasion of your privacy? To its credit, the company is making it very easy for you. You’re already opted in as a default, but just a single uncheck will prevent your online life from being fodder for commercial use.
Vacation in style
Looking to live large when you travel? A new website offers stays in private high-end homes in Los Angeles, London, New York, and Paris.
OneFineStay.com caters to a wealthier crowd looking to have an elegant experience in someone’s private home. Think of it like Airbnb.com for the uppercrust.
This is not staying in a room in somebody’s small house for $50 a night. This is for people who want to open their wallets a little more to have a lot of experiences in luxury accomodations. The pricing is more on par with a typical 5-star hotel room, but you get access to a high-end home. It’s a way to vacation in style for less.
When it comes to travel, the linear ways that you used to book accommodations don’t apply anymore. Technology has made so much more possible. So it’s now possible to get a typical, everyday stay in a home, flat, apartment, condo, townhome, or vacation property on VRBO.com, HomeAway.com or Airbnb.com. Or a luxury home through OneFineStay.
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