Editorial: Government shouldn't keep watch on the Internet

By John Jordan

Thursday, January 26, 2006

The federal government’s getting interested in what you’re searching for on the Internet.

Last week, federal investigators tried to get Internet search records from Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and America Online to combat child pornography.

While Microsoft, Yahoo and America Online turned in the information, Google didn’t.

For refusing, the Justice Department is taking Google to court to try to get its search records.

Microsoft, Yahoo and America Online justified giving away their records because the records don’t have any ties to whoever searched them. No personal information was given with the information. At least not yet. The administration has been cavalier so far in gathering intelligence.

Google not surrendering its information lets the government know it’ll stand up for the privacy of its users.

This is certainly a message the federal government needs to hear from time to time.

No matter how you feel about the government’s request — or other intelligence gathering practices — if no one challenges the government, it will only grow bolder.

Critics have challenged President George Bush over his wiretapping of suspected Al Qaeda operatives’ calls to the United States. The criticism forced the administration to defend its actions, as it should do. Bush defended his actions in his speech in Manhattan.

This administration, concerned with intelligence about terrorism and pornography, should be working to protect the country from both threats.

But if no one takes the time to look at what the government is doing or to stand up and says no to a request, there is no incentive for the government to consider what it’s doing.

Google’s concerns about privacy and free speech are warranted, and so are the government’s concerns about terrorism and child pornography. If Google had acted as its rivals Microsoft, Yahoo and American Online did, who would be questioning the government’s request?

—John Jordan, for the editorial board

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