Addicted to Google?

Google has no power over our lives. Every individual who chooses to use Google does so at will. More importantly, Google is instrumentally helpful in numerous business formats and in addition serves as an educational tool. People use Google in many different arenas which is what makes it so popular - business, school, social, etc. Individuals from all walks of life see Google as a tool in which they can acquire more knowledge and in turn make themselves a more attractive hire. The popular proverb knowledge is power serves as a central tenet in their philosophy. In regard to the privacy concerns that have come to light in recent years. I view it as simply part of the business. Individuals are choosing to use Google, free of charge, and in return the company collects data about those individuals and their interests. It is another source of revenue for a for profit company. Both the individual and Google benefit from this arrangement. Individuals gain knowledge through Google's vast databases and are directed to products that may interest them. Google uses the information they've collected through individuals use of their website to sell to companies who might cater to those individuals' interests in the form of advertisements.  Therefore I don't believe people's independence is compromised in any way. There are other search engines and  email services individuals can utilize, yet they continue to use Google because of the numerous benefits it provides.