Google is now providing ‘trend data’ to web site owners. Neato, eh?
If you read their FAQ, data is shared via the opt-in feature of Google Analytics, which various people have pointed out is hidden in the GA interface.
You can opt-out of the Google Analytics sharing, but you can’t opt your site out of the Trends interface without opting out of the index entirely.
Sure, there are plenty of ways to turn up competitive research. Google is simply making it idiot-friendly. No finesse will be required, although sure, you can question the accuracy/value of the data via this source all you want. People will use it anyway.
I, myself, will be investing in additional aluminum foil.