Using a child born statute that has previously been declared illegal as part of its argument, the Bush Administration is asking the courts to force Google to show them its user information records. Google is rightfully saying, "Hell No, we won't show!"
Thanks to David Tebbutt for pointing this to me this morning. Since I've been on a soapbox lately regarding China's abuse of its citizens online, it's important to realize that the US government seems to have inclinations in the same direction.
Let's hope Google doesn't back down. This would be the scariest precedent yet, were it to succeed.
Man, how many months in office do these scumbags have again?
Posted by: Evan Erwin | Jan 19, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Actually Evan,
I will soon post my monthly udate on the scumbag administration.
Posted by: shel israel | Jan 19, 2006 at 02:05 PM
Any idea why Yahoo! caved in if the government is using what you say is 'illegal' statutes? If true then their legal department needs a kick in the backside.
Posted by: Dennis Howlett | Jan 19, 2006 at 09:24 PM
Shel,
Co-incidentally I interviewed Bradley Horowitz of Yahoo! on Tuesday and I asked him about Yahoo!'s facilitating the Chinese government to jail journalist Shi Tao and I followed up with a question asking him what Yahoo! would do if the US government asked for users data.
For more check out http://www.podleaders.com/bradley-horowitz-podcast/
Posted by: Tom Raftery | Jan 20, 2006 at 08:07 AM