Google reveals U.S., foreign governments hungry for private data

Photo: David Drummond, Google's chief legal counsel

In the paper today:

By Cecilia Kang

Advertisers aren't the only ones hungry for data on online users. So are U.S. and foreign governments, according to Internet giant Google.

The online search provider disclosed how often it receives requests for private information from government authorities around the globe, as well as demands to censor its applications. The company said it hopes to shed light on the practices of governments and on a growing push to block information on the Web.

"We at Google believe that greater transparency will lead to less censorship online," said David Drummond, Google's chief legal officer.

He said more than 40 governments censor information today, up from four in 2002. China has put up firewalls so that domestic users cannot access information, as well as technological barricades that prevent users from communicating with each other.

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