Professor Geek

Google’s stock dropped 8.5% the other day. That was almost all due to the fact that they are defying a Justice Department subpoena to turn over a random group of 1 week’s worth of searches. They have many reasons for not wanting to do it, including a strong desire not to reveal proprietary information. I have a feeling that they also want to appease their users by letting them know that “what happens here stays here” (to borrow a phrase from a current Las Vegas promotional ad).

Unfortunately, the other three outfits that were subpoenaed caved in and turned their records over. The last time I checked, a fishing expedition was not fair game for a subpeoena. Apparently, Google thinks so too, and they have vowed to fight the feds on this one. So what are some of the possible ramifications if they are forced to turn over such records? I think it will open a literal pandora’s box for privacy in this country. If nothing you do in the privacy of your home (and I’m not condoning any particular behavior or search regimen) will remain private, then where are we headed? Remember, this is different from a law enforcement agency having some evidence that a crime (i.e. child pornography) has been committed by someone in particular, and wanting additional evidence. They have every right to subpoena exactly these kinds of records if they know exactly what they are looking for. But to ask for a random set of records just to get a feel for what is going on is beyond reasonable.

Keep your eyes on this case. It could have many repercussions in the future. And remember another thing: Nothing you do on the Internet is anonymous. The bottom line: to protect your privacy, just assume that anything you do on the Internet is immediately public knowledge and act accordingly. Just because you can’t see anyone looking over your shoulder as you surf around doesn’t mean that they aren’t looking.

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