
... but users' search queries are off-limits
By Anne Broache
Published: 20 March 2006 09:20 GMT
In a move that alleviates some privacy concerns, a federal judge granted part of a Justice Department (DoJ) request for Google search data but said users' search queries were off-limits.
The 21-page order, issued Friday in San Jose, California, by US District Judge James Ware, represented little change from his stance at a hearing earlier this week.
Ware had indicated he would grant the US Justice Department access to a portion of Google's index of websites but said he was hesitant to ask for users' search terms because of worries about the perception by the public that what they type into Google.com is subject to government scrutiny.
Ware said in his Friday order that the government demonstrated a "substantial need" for Google's random URL sample, which it plans to run through filtering software to test the software's anti-pornography filtering prowess as the DoJ prepares to defend a child-protection law in court. But the DoJ did not meet that standard regarding search queries, Ware said.
He noted that 50,000 URLs must be turned over, unless both parties agree to an alternative scenario on or before 3 April.
Neither Google nor Justice Department representatives could be reached immediately for comment on Friday.
Google associate general counsel Nicole Wong said in a post on the company's blog on Friday evening that the search giant would comply "fully" with the judge's order. She wrote: "What his ruling means is that neither the government nor anyone else has carte blanche when demanding data from internet companies," calling it "a clear victory for our users and for our company".
The decision drew cautious praise from a privacy advocate.
Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, said: "It's a well-reasoned decision, and it does minimise privacy and civil liberties implications."
Givens went on to say that she still doesn't think the government needs Google's data: "They can design a research study that would accomplish much the same. It's a bad precedent for the government to be strong-arming search engine companies for such sensitive data."
CNET News.com's Declan McCullagh and Elinor Mills contributed to this report
Anne Broache writes for CNET News.com
A competent government could find those 50,000 vit...
Anonymous
If the Govenment can get it's foot in the door to ...
Anonymous
Shame on Google! Shame on the government. This is ...
Dave waiting for the knock.
If the govt created a dummy telemarkiting company ...
no victory, no loss
When you re as big and tough as the Feds you can d...
Anonymous
to build picture of third party activityThe successful candidate will possess the following skills: Extremely analytical Excellent presentation and ...
Director of Service Security, Privacy and Continuity - Consumer Internet Services Create and implement preventative SW design rules for ensuring ...
PHP Web Developer / PHP Programmer - Joomlaor Magento CMS - Google Accredited AgencySlough, BerkshireUp to 28,000We are one of Berkshire's leading ...
Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.
Power Solutions Article: High-Availability Virtualization with Dell EqualLogic Arrays...
Power Solutions Article:Â Power Solutions Article: Getting Started with Microsoft...
Customer Case Study:Â A L Filters
Solution Brief: Dell Equalogic PS Series Can Offer Robust, High-Availability Infrastructure...
Stories from the web...
Copyright © 2008 CBS Interactive Limited. All rights reserved. Top of page
Naked CIO Naked CIO: Social networks are useless for finding a job 'Quantity over quality' approach poisoning professional networks
Peter Cochrane Peter Cochrane's Blog: Uneconomics We must move away from short-termism to prevent next economic crisis