Google is now dealing with the backlash of its latest product. Google Buzz, a social networking service, was launched last week Tuesday, and within only four days it caused a massive outcry amongst users, with most complaints concerned about gaping flaws in the service’s privacy policy.

On Saturday 13 February Google issued a statement on the official Gmail blog, attempting to salvage the search giant’s biggest and most epic fail to date.

Buzz was automatically added onto the Gmail account of every single user. The initial configuration of the product was such that information from Gmail profiles became immediately available to a network of friends created by Google, based on contacts that users most frequently interact with. This network was then visible to a vast audience, widely revealing the personal contact lists of users, with severe repercussions.

Announcement: the Orwellian, Minority Reportian, Matrixian age of the thought police is here.

Remember a time when the biggest risk of using social media was having your boss stumble upon your Facebook photos from the weekend? Those days are long gone and now your online activity could turn you into a convicted criminal.

On 13 January 2010 Paul Chambers answered a knock at his front door to find some stern policemen outside. The first thing he thought was that something terrible had happened to a friend or relative, until they handed him a print out of his Twitter page.

The 26-year-old was arrested under the Terrorism Act and made to endure a seven hour interrogation, following which his laptop, iPhone and home computer were seized. His crime: a Twitter update in which he jokingly threatened to blow up Doncaster’s Robin Hood airport if his flight was delayed due to snow.