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April 21, 2010 by
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Google’s new tool, the , shows how often governments around the world request user information from Google. This is a change in perspective: we usually just focus on the right of citizens to request information of a government through . But citizens also have the right to know what information requests governments are making.
As the notes, even with the new tool, some information is still unavailable. The numbers available through the tool don’t tell the whole story:
First, Google’s tool only tracks requests that are received as part of an official criminal investigation — which would exclude, for example, the infamous , something that was not part of an official criminal investigation. Second, Google’s tool only counts the number of requests it receives, not the number of user records that were requested. So that single DOJ subpoena seeking millions of records would only counts as a single request! Finally, Google is barred by law from disclosing the number of requests it receives pursuant to National Security Letters, although we know that . All told, the requests that show up in Google’s tool are just the tip of the iceberg.
The National Security Letters, or NSLs, allow the FBI to compel internet service providers, libraries, banks, and credit reporting companies to turn over sensitive information about their patrons. The government can then compile vast dossiers on innocent people. Before an ACLU lawsuit (Doe v. Holder), the FBI had the power to prohibit NSL recipients from telling anyone that the government has secretly requested customer Internet records at all.
It’s interesting to note the vast discrepancy in power between the government and every other actor in this story. The government can request private, sensitive information about any citizen, and then compel the source of the information to stay silent about the request. The information will most likely be granted. On the other hand, citizens and journalists may or not get the information they request, with or without the help of governments. The ACLU calls the tool .
The Google Government requests tool may only be a window, but it may also be a first step to a more open government in an area not normally focused on. Citizens should have the opportunity for having as much information on their side as governments do, and this tool is the first step towards addressing goal.
What do you think? Is this an exciting path towards the transparency we want? We want to hear your views on Google’s new tool.
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July 8, 2008 by
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Don’t you love those old “knock knock” jokes? My new favorite goes something like this:
Knock. Knock.
Who’s there?
It’s the ACLU. Open up, or we’ll sue you for the fourth time.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper apparently hasn’t gotten the joke yet, as the ACLU continues to sue the city over a lack of transparency regarding details of the DNC 2008 convention.
From the :
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Mayor Hickenlooper, please do taxpayers everywhere a favor and open up. If you have nothing to hide, no one gets hurt, plus the ACLU will stop knocking at your door… for a little while.