(Image source: Techi)

BY EVAN THOMAS

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Can you assign a dollar value to online privacy? Maybe. Google is paying Chome users to opt-in to a pair of new programs called Screenwise which will track browsing statistics.

In the first program, a Chrome plugin will collect data on the sites Screenwise members visit, such as the time, frequency and duration of their sessions. A second, smaller group can sign up to install a physical router which will track browsing even more closely.

Ars Technica says -- this could mean big business for Big G.

“We can only speculate about the possible lucrative uses for this data. It could tell every online retailer about every shopping cart the users ever abandon. It could tell Spotify exactly how users use competing services like Rdio or Grooveshark, and vice versa. The business prospects of all that raw information are huge.”

Slashgear notes -- this is nothing short of spying -- but hey, at least you’re paid. Screenwise members will get a whole -- five bucks a month -- for their trouble.  Snarkily adding...

“That is, $5 for signing up and then $5 in monthly installments if you continue to feel like you don’t deserve any privacy on the Internet. Oh, and that’s not in cash either. It’s paid in a series of Amazon.com gift cards.”

Five bucks?  Really? Gawker thinks Google could have picked a better number.

“Inherent in a $5 offer is an acknowledgement that you're required to do something embarrassing. As in, ‘Hey, I'll give you $5 to lick that guy's head.’ It's a classic monetary standard for mild humiliation.”

But back to privacy for a moment. Search Engine Land says, when it comes to the G-men, nobody snoops on privacy better.

“The timing of this program seems odd, especially considering the backlash that Google has faced over the upcoming changes to its privacy policy. Even though this Screenwise program is completely opt-in, some critics are bound to question why Google needs more data about web searchers and the websites they visit.”

Google says, this is all in the name of understanding on-line consumers better -- and emphasizes none of the data can be traced back to you.

And TechCrunch suggests tpeople who sign up for Google tracking probably know what they’re getting into.

“While many would consider this level of recording a monumental invasion of privacy, just as many (likely far more) don’t see much of a difference between this and how much they’re tracked already.”

Signups for Screenwise started Tuesday. Google has already stopped accepting them for now, saying it’s “overwhelmed” by interest so far.