Google inc. is rebuffing a request from the Bush administration wanting a list of all requests entered into Google's search engine during an unspecified single week -- a breakdown that could conceivably span tens of millions of queries. In addition, it seeks one million randomly selected Web addresses from various Google databases.
In court papers that the San Jose Mercury News reported on after seeing them Wednesday, the Bush administration depicts the information as vital in its effort to restore online child protection laws that have been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Yahoo and several other search engines have complied with the government's request.
as the Internet's dominant search engine, Google has built up a valuable storehouse of information that "makes it a very attractive target for law enforcement," said Chris Hoofnagle, senior counsel for the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
The Department of Justice argues that Google's cooperation is essential in its effort to simulate how people navigate the Web.
In a separate case in Pennsylvania, the Bush administration is trying to prove that Internet filters don't do an adequate job of preventing children from accessing online pornography and other objectionable destinations.
Google contends that complying with the subpoena would represent a betrayal to its users.
Pam Dixon, an executive director for the world privacy forum cautions, "when you're looking at a blank search box, you should remember that what you fill can come back to haunt you unless you take precautions."
1 comment:
Aside from the fact that I'd like to see child abusers given the death penalty I stand by Google and their attempt to provide the privacy that the consumer expects.
What I might be ok with is if such search providers were asked for limited and exacting information - while at the same time keeping the database that Google has private.
There are many other ways to bait out child molestors and preditors and they are working - all without handing over the social actions of the nation to the government.
Maybe what would also help is if the government took internet access out of the hands of criminals - even within prisons there is broadband! Maybe just like felons can't have guns maybe felons shouldn't have private access to computers!
And maybe what would also be a good idea would be judges that give child rapers more than 60 days in jail!
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