Privacy Concerns Over Google Desktop 3

Ingrid Marson
ZDNet UK
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A feature allowing users to search files across multiple computers 'greatly increases the risk to consumer privacy', according to the EFF The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) said on Thursday that a feature added to the latest version of Google Desktop has serious privacy implications.
Google Desktop 3 Beta, which was released on Thursday, includes a feature that allows users to search for files across multiple computers, by storing copies of the user's documents on Google's servers.
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See Also:
Google to Let Users Search PCs Remotely
Google offers PC search software
Google Desktop Boycott Urged
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But the EFF claimed this feature "greatly increases the risk to consumer privacy" due to US legislation — the Electronic Communication Privacy Act — which means files that are stored with online service providers enjoy less privacy protection than information stored on a home computer.
"Unless you configure Google Desktop very carefully, and few people will, Google will have copies of your tax returns, love letters, business records, financial and medical files, and whatever other text-based documents the Desktop software can index," said EFF staff attorney Kevin Bankston.
"The government could then demand these personal files with only a subpoena rather than the search warrant it would need to seize the same things from your home or business, and in many cases you wouldn't even be notified in time to challenge it," Bankston added.
Feb 10, 2006