What readers think about Google's refusal to turn over search records

I am glad Google refused to cave into the freedome violations of the Bush Administration. Wish Aol, Microsoft and others had done the same. Bush & company all belong in jail for violating our freedoms and rights.

— Richard Royston, Mount Vernon, WA

Google should stand firm in its refusal to allow the Bush administration to spy on its citizens. How long before a drone is deployed within our borders?

— Dale Leavitt, Yokohama, Japan

At what point do we say that enough is enough. It's obvious that this president thinks that the tragedy of 9/11 gives him unlimited powers, but that is not America...that is facism.

— Mark Bonney, Seattle

The "thought police" from Orwell's 1984 are alive and well, masquerading as the current Executive Branch of the government. Remember — "we're from the government, and we're here to help you!".

— Duane Vincent, Vancouver

The more constitutional protections to privacy and against illegal search and siezure that we cede, the weaker all constitutional protections become. I find it funny that conservatives like to tell "liberals(or anyone centrist to radical, anything left of their beliefs) to "Go back to Russia" The less of these protections left alive, the closer we are to a totalitarian society. God bless America, and please Sir, while you're blessing us, educate the masses who approve of what this administration is up to! Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they are doing. Amen

— Chris M., Auburn, WA

— Barbara Everett, Seattle

Way to go Google! Way to stand up for citizens privacy rights! Government by the corporation for the corporation must stop! This snooping on US citizens is OUTRAGEOUS and ILLEGAL!

— Chase Bossart, Bellevue, WA

I applaud Google. Our goverment has once again gone beyond the general good will of the people. Let's respect the privacy of all citizens.

— Alvin Wolcott, Bellevue, WA

So if the Gov't sees a lot of search requests for ...say "terrorist" subjects I believe they would then try to make the case that they needed personal data in order to route out the evil do'ers that seek to destroy this country. The precedent would just set us up for ever more encroaching surveilance by the gov't.

— Carl Wilson, Seattle

The Bush administration has a well-documented abysmal record on civil rights and respect of privacy. Already there is a pending court case over the President's ordering of surveillance without warrants of American citizens. Due process, due process, due process; civil rights, civil rights, civil rights.

— Colin May, Bellevue, WA

I think it is great. Privacy, the right to be left alone, is one of our founding principles. We seem to have forgotten it. At least, those currently in power have.

— Larry Gilmore, Everett, WA

Bravo for Google!

— Robert J Hallbauer, Langley, WA

I praise Google for not turning over data. Google has become the industry leader in search engine technology and datamining on the World Wide Web. Google is where it is today because of user-submitted data and information and if they give in to the Bush administration it will be detrimental to the future successes of Google. No one will trust their data with Google and not to mention Google's livelihood (intricacies involved with search functions) will be at stake. Even though the Admistration claims that no personal, I feel that they will see certain search queries that will prompt them to turn to Google and pursue these "leads" they have recently acquired.

For example, let's say that you are looking for a new home in the "XYZ Neighborhood" or "Seattle, WA" and you don't want to buy a house in a neighborhood that is known for having meth labs. To look for this kind of data you would search Google, Google News (or another search engine) for "Seattle (nei ghborhood name)" + "methamphetamine labs" OR "meth lab". You're looking to see if any news articles have reported on meth lab busts in that part of town. Harmless right? To the Federal Government, this is probable cause. It would be much easier for the Federal Government to pursue you since you are clearly looking for information related to manufacture of meth and it will be easier to find you since they know you live in or near the Seattle area. Am I being a little paranoid? Maybe. I wouldn't put it past this Administration to do something completely insane. Never sacrifice your freedom for protection.

— Will Asrari, Bellingham, WA