It all comes down to privacy. That’s what the Gmail users have been complaining about since Google launched Buzz on Feb. 9. Yesterday the watchdog group EPIC (Electronic Privacy Information Center) urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google Buzz. Farther north, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is also looking into Buzz.

At issue, according the 16-page complaint EPIC filed, is Google’s use of confidential addresses to create a social network:

Gmail contact lists routinely include deeply personal information, including the names and email addresses of estranged spouses, current lovers, attorneys and doctors.

So far, Google has tried to tamp down the uproar with two major adjustments in less than a week. But this is probably just the tipping point; consumers are finally rebelling against Google’s strategy of first imposing innovations on the public then leaving it to individuals – or media outlets – to opt out.

For some, the breach of trust created by Buzz was just too big an infraction.

With regulatory agencies now looking into the cracks, Google is promising it will keep customer feedback in mind in introducing new innovations as it fights to preserve its “Don’t be evil” reputation for thoughtful, inventive consumer software rollouts.

So far, the Buzz privacy issues have only surfaced in North America, but in the European Union, which has stricter privacy regulations, Google may find still more regulators breathing down its neck.