Google denies FBI interest in Gmail

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Google on Thursday denied that it has had any contact with the FBI regarding the design of its Gmail Web email service.

The search firm's denial came after the Electronic Privacy Information Centre (EPIC) submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the FBI seeking information about whether the bureau was considering the "possible use of Google's Gmail service for law enforcement and intelligence investigations." EPIC, which gave an award last week to a California state senator who is trying to ban Gmail, announced the request immediately after Google said it was filing for an initial public offering.

Critics immediately criticised EPIC's request as a publicity stunt because the nonprofit likened Google's Web-based email service to the FBI's controversial Carnivore wiretapping utility and the Pentagon's discontinued "Orwellian Total Information Awareness program."

EPIC's request also asked whether Google had discussed licensing its search technology, in use by customers in the private sector, to the FBI "to further law enforcement investigations or intelligence gathering activities." Google spokesman Nathan Tyler replied: "I cannot confirm whether they're using our technology."

Talkback

I was bored so i went to google searched something but i cant remeber wat becasue i was stoned, it then led me to this site. I read the Article about "Google denies FBI interest in G - mail, and quite frankly it thought it was twaddle. The fbi will tap the phone lines if the bloody well want to wont they!

via Facebook 30 April, 2004 13:26
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voicing total agreement to the stoned guy

via Facebook 30 April, 2004 14:21
Reply

The more I here about GMail the more I don't want it. My biggest reason for not wanting it is because I can't delete older E-Mail. This is just an add on why I shouldn't sign up.

I think I'll change to Yahoo...

via Facebook 1 May, 2004 04:11
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