Google Admits Handing over European User Data to US Intelligence Agencies

[Jack]

Google has admitted complying with requests from US intelligence agencies for data stored in its European data centers, most likely in violation of European Union data protection laws.

Gordon Frazer, Microsoft UK's managing director, made news headlines some weeks ago when he admitted that Microsoft can be compelled to share data with the US government regardless of where it is hosted in the world.

At the center of this problem is the USA PATRIOT ACT, which states that companies incorporated in the United States must hand over data administered by their foreign subsidiaries if requested.

Not only that, but they can be forced to keep quiet it in order to avoid exposing active investigations and alert those targeted by the probes.

This situation poses a serious problem for companies like Microsoft, Google or Amazon, which offer cloud services around the world, because their subsidiaries must also respect local laws.

For example, European Union legislation requires companies to protect the personal information of EU citizens and this is clearly not something that Microsoft, Google, Amazon, or any of their EU customers can do.

Read more

 

[Hungry Man]

Unfortunately when the US government asks you to do something, as a company you have very little choice. Google is one of the few companies historically to go to court over not wanting to share data, but 96% of the time they simply comply... after all, saying "no" could mean serious trouble.

I think this is more of an issue with the Patriot Act than with these companies.

 

[Dejan]

I don't see why people are making a big deal out of this, it happened many times with many other companies/services/whatever. And considering they had little choice, I wouldn't go berating them about it.

 

[Jack]

Unacceptable what the US did ..Why on earth do they need the data stored in Google's European data centers?
I'm sure that the almighty Google can find a way to avoid this type of situation in the future....also this reflects the need for a more strict control of what information Google collects if they can't protect our data ,then it would be a good idea to limit the amount of info that they collect...

 

[Hungry Man]

I'm sure that the almighty Google can find a way to avoid this type of situation in the future

Not really. The Patriot Act is fairly clear cut and people don't have a lot of choice when it comes to it. There isn't a single company out there that won't bend to it.

Except Google actually did try to fight/ appeal but I believe it lost in court.

 

[Deleted member 178]

Big Brother is STILL watching you

 

[illumination]

The Patriot Act although intended for tracking Terrorist, can and has been used other wise. It is nothing more then a loop hole for them to use if they cannot acquire the information they seek through standard laws due to restrictions. There has been several law suits brought up against it because of. I tend to wonder what they possible needed from Google's European data centers, one never knows, it could be legit.

 

[Vextor]

It really shouldn't be allowed, the American Government have NO RIGHT to pry into Europe's data. If this is allowed, we might as well prepare for America taking our houses and selling them.

 

[Hungry Man]

They have no right to pry into anyone's data. Unfortunately all data is subject... I hope the EU has a fit over this and takes action against the law.

 

[Deleted member 178]

all your data are already spyed, they just make you believe they didnt do it yet