By Jessica E. Vascellaro

A confidential, seven-page Google Inc. “vision statement” shows the information-age giant in a deep round of soul-searching over a basic question: How far should it go in profiting from its crown jewels—the vast trove of data it possesses about people’s activities?

Should it tap more of what it knows about Gmail users? Should it build a vast “trading platform” for buying and selling Web data? Should it let people pay to not see any ads at all?

Continue reading the article . . .

A Journal investigation finds that one of the fastest-growing businesses on the Internet is the business of spying on consumers. First in a series.

Related reading:

Google: Into the Future
The Wall Street Journal (12 Aug 10)

It’s Modern Trade: Web Users Get as Much as They Give
The Wall Street Journal (7 Aug 10)

Tracking Is an Assault on Liberty, With Real Dangers
The Wall Street Journal (6 Aug 10)

On the Web’s Cutting Edge, Anonymity in Name Only
The Wall Street Journal (4 Aug 10)

Stalkers Exploit Cellphone GPS
The Wall Street Journal (3 Aug 10)

Microsoft Quashed Effort to Boost Online Privacy
The Wall Street Journal (2 Aug 10)

The Web’s New Gold Mine: Your Secrets
The Wall Street Journal (30 July 10)

Sites Feed Personal Details To New Tracking Industry
The Wall Street Journal (30 July 10)

What They Know – Explore the Data
The Wall Street Journal