In the wake of Google's acquisition of Nest for $3.2 billion, many users feared that Google might take the opportunity to collect data for advertising purposes. However, Nest CEO, Tony Fadell, has promised that he would allow users to opt-in if Google should make any changes to Nest's privacy policy. He also promised all users that he will be transparent about such changes, if and when they happen.
At the DLD Conference in Munich, Fadell said thee were no changes at the moment to Nest's privacy policy. Furthermore, he said that any data Nest collected is only used to improve the company's range of smart and home automated products.
"At this point, there are no changes," Fadell explained. "The data that we collect is all about our products and improving them."
"If there were ever any changes whatsoever, we would be sure to be transparent about it, number one, and number two for you to opt-in to it," according to Nest founder and CEO.
"The amount of things that I learned from them, personally, in the same meetings that they learned from me, personally. The two way interchange of what was for me intellectual happiness and the stimulation of being able to go back and forth, and really create a new world together - and in a different way than either of us had imagined - that was personally exciting to me," Fadell said.
Nest CEO, Tony Fadell, who was interviewed by Laurie Segall from CNN was asked to tell what Google CEO, Larry Page said to him. However, Fadell wasn't forthcoming on the details.
"All I can say is we were finishing each other's sentences and the visions that we had were just so large and so great, and they weren't scared by them. We were both getting exhilarated by what could change and how things could change, and that we could have the ability to change those things together," Fadell said.
When it comes to Google, this company has huge ambitions, so acquiring Nest doesn't come as a surprise. It is also safe to say Google is a company that wants to change the world, but it might just depend on if this change requires users to view advertisements or constantly worry about their personal data.
Nest CEO might be able to keep things under control. However, at the end of the day, he will likely not have the loudest voice in the room.
