Google released yesterday the beta version of Google Accelerator, software designed to speed up web browsing. It only runs on Windows. According to the FAQ, the product:

• sends http requests through Google servers, along with standard client information;
  
• caches the cookies clients send to the websites being visited;
• pre-caches websites on users' hard drives.
  

In light of marketers' desire to do behavioral marketing, the idea of millions of users providing Google with tracking data is certainly interesting. Compared to the spyware developers, Google's approach is sure to be honorable.

Tracking user paths is hardly a new development. Amazon's Alexa has been doing this for years - and the aggregated information they've collected is undeniably valuable.

Still, users shouldn't think that running Google Accelerator will enhance their privacy. Since information that identifies you personally could potentially be cached on Google servers, your browsing history might be just a subpoena away from the nearest FBI office.