Google rebuffs feds over access to search data

Other search engines complied
Every other search engine served similar subpoenas by the Bush administration has complied so far, according to court documents. The cooperating search engines weren’t identified.

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Yahoo stressed that it didn’t reveal any personal information. “We are rigorous defenders of our users’ privacy,” Yahoo spokeswoman Mary Osako said Thursday. “In our opinion, this is not a privacy issue.”

Microsoft Corp.'s MSN, the No. 3 search engine, declined to say whether it even received a similar subpoena. “MSN works closely with law enforcement officials worldwide to assist them when requested,” the company said in a statement.

(MSNBC.com content is distributed by MSN. MSNBC.com itself is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)

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.

Obtaining the subpoenaed information from Google “would assist the government in its efforts to understand the behavior of current Web users, (and) to estimate how often Web users encounter harmful-to-minors material in the course of their searches,” the Justice Department wrote in a brief filed Wednesday

Google — whose motto when it went public in 2004 was “do no evil” — contends that submitting to the subpoena would represent a betrayal to its users, even if all personal information is stripped from the search terms sought by the government.

“Google’s acceding to the request would suggest that it is willing to reveal information about those who use its services. This is not a perception that Google can accept,” company attorney Ashok Ramani wrote in a letter included in the government’s filing.

Complying with the subpoena also would threaten to expose some of Google’s “crown-jewel trade secrets,” Ramani wrote. Google is particularly concerned that the information could be used to deduce the size of its index and how many computers it uses to crunch the requests.

“This information would be highly valuable to competitors or miscreants seeking to harm Google’s business,” Ramani wrote.

Dixon is hoping Google’s battle with the government reminds people to be careful how they interact with search engines.

“When you are looking at that blank search box, you should remember that what you fill can come back to haunt you unless you take precautions,” she said.

MORE FROM TECH AND GADGETS

Tech and gadgets Section Front

Digital zombies? Virtual world trumps physical The death of weddings, as seen on YouTube Picking a photo printer that's right for you Amazon Kindle for iPhone goes international After criticism, Facebook tweaks settings again The decade in personal technology Hollywood hopes ensemble cast boosts Blu-ray High-tech divorce clouds tablet PC's launch Facebook is lactose-intolerant, group says Fla. judges, lawyers can't be Facebook friends Tech and gadgets Section Front   Add Tech and gadgets headlines to your news reader: