Google Decline to Submit Search Data

Isn't this really old news?

..in as much as it is another step down the line by Google

In other words up to the weekend Google had not actually refused to comply with the US Governments demands, it was "merely resisting" the demands. It has now formally refused.

Google users trust that when they enter a search query into a Google search box ... that Google will keep private whatever information users communicate absent a compelling reason.

How many users do you think realize that a search query even CAN (or would) be stored at all?

I think the search engines need to be treated like the phone company records, no warrant, no records.

However, people full well understand that the phone company knows everyone you call and everyone that calls you and that a government agency could subpoena that information at any time. Expecting anything less of an information trail being left on the internet is pretty naive as you're making "calls" to other web sites.

I applaud Google for taking a stance but laugh at people in a sudden panic about their privacy as they leave breadcrumbs all over the internet with everything they do.

Well, if it's ever going to get closer to organizing more personal kinds of information, Google simply has to refuse such requests, and figth that kind of nonsense in every way they can.

It's all about trust: Would you give your sensitive information to a company if you knew that they would pass it on on request, just like that? I think quite a few people would think twice.

>I think quite a few people would think twice

They don't though. They hand over sensititve information all the time. To just about anyone that asks for it.

>Google users trust that when they enter a search query into a Google search box ... that Google will keep private whatever information users communicate absent a compelling reason

Bullshit. Most Google users don't even think about what happens when a query is performed, much less about what happens to query data. They don't think about the data collection that occurs when they swipe their little keychain barcodes at the grocery store either. And hand all that data over to Catalina.

Ignorance is bliss.

> little keychain barcodes

What's that? And Catalina? looks like a PDA-producer of some kind...

I wonder if China asked for the same info - would they get it?

That's the clue... absent a compelling reason. Sure it makes good positive press for Google to "resist" in these days of low government approval, but isn't it just a legal maneuver? Hand it over absent a compelling reason and you are subject to lawsuits (just like those filed against JeyBlue and the others that released personal data).

Demanding a compelling reason (under the law) is imply passing along liability like a good corporate entity. That liability will be passed around until a government agency picks it up by either having a judge demand it or making a law enabling the release.

>What's that? And Catalina?

Companies like Walmart and Kroger give consumers little bar code tags they can attach to their keychain, the consumers get a discount. And every purchase item is tracked. And Catalina manufactures those little tracking/printing devices that print out those little coupons. They might print out a Kellogs Cornflake coupon if you purchase a box of Post Grapenuts. And they track every purchase, offering up targeted coupons...

And, they have your personal information...

Yup, they know how much booze you buy, whether you buy small or large condoms and if you have issues with yeast too so watch out for the "enhancement pills", doctors referrals and free invites to Al Anon with membership discounts coming to a coupon near you.

Something else I wouldn't want the government getting their hands on, Google is just the tip of the iceberg.