Google Trap

Major Joined: Jan 13, 2003 Posts: 892

Rumours out that google is assigning user_id #'s and forwarding this unique # along with search results to the Fed. Whatcha all think of that?

Tell ya what I think Boycott Google!!!!!!!!

Nuke Cops Founder Joined: Nov 14, 2002 Posts: 5939

Is there a news item on this?

Major Joined: Jan 13, 2003 Posts: 892

I'm searching this is from a tech friend who's generally pretty reliable.

Edit*
Still searching but evidence is building:
http://www.searchenginewatch.com/sereport/article.php/2175251
http://www.google-watch.org

Nuke Soldier Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 28

if true, i couldnt agree more.... BOYCOTT session is definitely in order

Lieutenant Joined: May 29, 2003 Posts: 231

I doubt it's true, but wouldn't be surprised if it is. Have you ever read the US' Homeland Security Law Bush ramrod through Congress? If not, then I recommend you take some time and do so because it's kinda scary. After it became law, some members of Congress finally realized how dangerous it was and have been trying to attach limitations onto it since then. Even if they are successful now, I think it will go the same route as SSNs.

When first introduced, people were told SSNs would only be used to identify those entitled to social security benefits and would never ever become a national ID number or be used for any other purpose. Well, that promise was broken and people in the US cannot do anything without an SSN. The same thing will happen with this huge master database Bush and his cronies want to build. It will become the norm that anytime people do anything it will be recorded and stored to build a profile about them over their entire life. Collecting info from search engines will seem very minor to you.

If the Feds really have a contract to purchase this info from Google, they most likely have it with some of the other big search engines too. They would only be interested in certain search terms (eg bombing making, kiddie porn, etc) and/or from certain countries. They cannot handle the sheer volume of data otherwise and most of it would be totally useless to them. If this is really true, boycotting Google will not stop this type of data collection. Read the Homeland Security Law!!

Lieutenant Joined: May 29, 2003 Posts: 231

Quote:

Still searching but evidence is building:
http://www.searchenginewatch.com/sereport/article.php/2175251
http://www.google-watch.org

I just read these articles you posted. I initially thought the links were part of your signature. Those don't give any evidence of such kind. They are describing exactly how many websites operate with cookies and logging/tracking visitors. Except for the length of log retention, Google is not doing anything out of the ordinary.

The government has ALWAYS had the ability to go to a judge and get a subpoena to get information. Nothing new there either. Google reguarly gets subpoenas...so do all the large companies, hosts, ISPs, etc. The paranoia about Google hiring an ex-spook is very, very funny. Many companies want to hire these people because they have gone through an extensive background check. They can be assured there isn't some nasty skelton which will bite them after hiring. Also, these people have great contacts that they can use to peddle their product to the government. They can be easily cleared again if Google gets a contract to use their product in a classified setting. You would be surprised some of the people who are ex-spooks like Julia Childs and Montel Williams. There are many, many others....they are all regular people.

Sorry, that's no proof. Like I said I doubt it's happening, but the Homeland Security Law gives the government much broader powers so nothing they do now would surprise me. Best way to track down a rumor is to go back to your friend and track down the source of the info.

Nuke Cops Founder Joined: Nov 14, 2002 Posts: 5939

Thanks for looking into this and giving us an explanation of the article Mike.