Google tackles online privacy in unusual ad blitz

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Google is focusing on the importance of protecting personal information in a new marketing campaign. It's an unusual move for a company that has been blasted for its own online privacy lapses and practices.

The educational ads will start appearing Tuesday in dozens of U.S. newspapers and magazine. Google Inc. also will splash its message across billboards within the subways of New York and Washington, as well as various websites.

Google will address some of the basics of online privacy and security in the "Good To Know" ads.

While Google views the campaign as a public service, it may come across as disingenuous to critics who say the Internet search leader compiles too much personal information about its users and then isn't careful enough about protecting the sensitive data.

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