Google Earth

It's probably one of the most-used programs in existence, but I've never used it. It bothers me that I should need an application to view satellite photos, when most services just let your browser do the work. Makes me wonder WHY there is an application. Now I trust Google about as far as I can throw the entire Microsoft buildings, but for users of Google Earth I have a simple question: is it "safe" in that it doesn't pass along confidential info from your computer to Google? I'm tempted, but don't want to jump into quicksand. Quibble