Google resists demand to hand over search records

The Bush administration is embroiled in a courtroom showdown with the world's largest search engine company, demanding that Google hand over details of what internet users have been looking for.

But Google has refused, arguing that the request would violate the privacy of users and would also reveal business sensitive information about its search engine's operation. The company was yesterday seeking to have the DOJ's subpoena overturned in a court in San Jose, California.

The search company is being supported by a number of privacy rights campaigners who have accused the government of simply trawling for information.

"The government is not entitled to go on a fishing expedition through millions of Google searches any time it wants, just because it claims that it needs that information," said Aden Fine of the American Civil Liberties Union, which has filed a "friend of court" briefing in support of Google.

Some observers believe the case shows it is only a matter of time before the government seeks to obtain individual internet records, just as federal agencies can already get hold of library or medical records.

In January, when the subpoena was first revealed, Google's stock was shaken by the news. Yet the California-based company continues to refuse the government's request, despite the decision of its rivals Microsoft, AOL and Yahoo to provide such information following a similar demand.

Frankly, I can't wait for Geoerge to sit down in a briefing and ask "what the No1 search term is,"

"we'll that would be 'Pamela Anderson [or insert latest hot blonde] +naked' sir."

"And No.2" he asks.

"Err that would be 'George W Bush +C*nt +W*nker' Sir."

Only second? Must be time to call Jed