Public backs Google against government
Google decided last week to "vigorously" oppose a government subpoena to turn over records on millions of its users? search queries.
A survey from the Michigan-based Ponemon Institute indicated that approximately 56% of respondents believed Google shouldn’t hand over the information demanded by the Department of Justice.
Nearly 90% of those polled were under the impression that their Internet searches were kept private.
Google, the world’s leading Internet search company, drew applause for its stance from privacy and legal watchdogs, although some also questioned its policy of retaining vast amounts of user data.
The government argued that it needs the data to defend the constitutionality of the Child Online Protection Act in a Pennsylvania federal court.
The 1998 law, which has been challenged in various courts, would impose tough criminal penalties on website operators that don’t verify ages of visitors before allowing access to adult-oriented content.
Other online search engines have ceded to the government’s demands for data, while maintaining that private user information was still safeguarded.
Respondents to the Ponemon survey were evenly split over whether the administration of US President George W. Bush could be trusted "to take reasonable steps to protect the privacy rights and civil liberties" of citizens, the survey concluded.
Of those who backed Google’s position, 41% contended they would stop using the Mountain View-based search engine if it yielded to the government’s demand.
However, overall, 58% of people agreed police should have access to Google search data if it aids in fighting crime.
An eight-question survey completed on January 22 was given to 16,550 randomly selected adults, according to the institute.
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