Google reports record requests for private info

Google reports record requests for private info

rt.com

Google received a record number of requests to disclose user information to governments and law enforcement bodies in 2012. Requests have rocketed by 25 per cent in the last year, with the US leading the field by far in calls for data disclosure.

The search giant published its findings in its annual transparency report, detailing the number of requests for user information by country. Since Google began documenting figures in 2009, there has been an increase of over 70 per cent in disclosure requests. The company says it has complied with 66 per cent of recent cases.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Complied with 66 per cent of requests!?

Though many of us probably already knew this, but personal privacy appears to be subjected to new levels of investigation.

Google has become a staple for many of us over the years. I find this ever more disturbing coupled with initiatives to integrate many social media outlets, specifically YouTube with Google and how these services increasingly tailor searches and results to our pre-known information under the guise of "user friendliness" and now all this information accumulation has been subject to an increase in demand for exposure.

Are we at risk to further scrutiny by government via our online searches and trends?

I certainly find the timing of this interesting with everything politically that has transpired in the US and abroad.

rt.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Eh, they release this transparency report and yet, ask me again to link my real name with my youtube account after I already said no last time....huh. Maybe they are trying to lessen their workload due to all these information requests?

I've also noted the generation and linking of my google account with things that I never signed up for as well. It's taking the control about my information out of my hands and into Google's and that's severely uncool.

reply to post by MDDoxs

National governments and law enforcement agencies made 42,327 requests for personal data in 2012, a drastic increase from the 34,001 requests in 2011.

The US comprised the most submissions for private information, with over 8,438 requests in the latter half of 2012, a large portion of which were made through subpoenas. Google granted 88 per cent of these requests, the lowest since the search giant began reporting the figures.

Well thats not a surprise.

The really scary thing is that specific users are being targeted. Talk about a great way to collect information on the national predisposition on certain issues and perhaps to identify threats to upcoming policy…

reply to post by MDDoxs


No kidding. That's why I'm not holding my breath for any kind of upcoming legislation protecting privacy on the internet. Why would they shoot themselves in the foot when they have so much information at their disposal?

There is a information war waging, stick with those who value your personal information

reply to post by Zcustosmorum


The companies that seem to value the privacy of their users/customers are far and few in-between. I hope companies see a dollar value in protecting peoples information.

However, a lot of money to be made selling it to advertisers and wont cost them money by complying with governments demanding the information.