Privacy in the internet is a highly debated topic. Search engines such as Google, Yahoo, AOL, MSN and others retain information as to the specific search requests made by its subscribers worldwide. According to Google and its rivals, they keep information about their users so they can learn more about them as they strive to deliver the most relevant responses.
In the United States, the U.S. Justice Department has already made use of information retained by these search engines. While gathering evidence for a case involving online pornography, it subpoenaed major search engines for lists of search requests made by their users. Yahoo, MSM and AOL complied. Google did not.
In refusing to provide a list for search requests, Google acted in behalf of their clients, protecting their right to privacy. The federal judge which ordered Google to turn over the small sampling of Web addresses contained in its search index, later on decided that the company did not have to reveal the search requests sought by the government.
In its quest to provide better privacy protection to its subscribers, Google will remove key pieces of identifying information from its system every 18 to 24 months. Not only that, Google will also wipe out eight bits of the Internet protocol, or IP, address that identifies the origin of specific search requests. It will also depersonalize computer “cookies”.
Such measures adopted by the Search Engine Giant will be appreciated by its subscribers worldwide. Privacy, being a primordial right of every individual, deserves to be protected in all manners and forms.
In the United States, the U.S. Justice Department has already made use of information retained by these search engines. While gathering evidence for a case involving online pornography, it subpoenaed major search engines for lists of search requests made by their users. Yahoo, MSM and AOL complied. Google did not.
In refusing to provide a list for search requests, Google acted in behalf of their clients, protecting their right to privacy. The federal judge which ordered Google to turn over the small sampling of Web addresses contained in its search index, later on decided that the company did not have to reveal the search requests sought by the government.
In its quest to provide better privacy protection to its subscribers, Google will remove key pieces of identifying information from its system every 18 to 24 months. Not only that, Google will also wipe out eight bits of the Internet protocol, or IP, address that identifies the origin of specific search requests. It will also depersonalize computer “cookies”.
Such measures adopted by the Search Engine Giant will be appreciated by its subscribers worldwide. Privacy, being a primordial right of every individual, deserves to be protected in all manners and forms.
by bryan tan
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