Public Supports Google, Not Government, Survey Says

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Not only do the vast majority of surfers believe Google should keep user search habits secret, nearly 40 percent said they would stop using the service if the company complies with a Justice Department subpoena to release the information.

The results of the survey, conducted by the privacy think tank Ponemon Institute, also revealed that most users of the Google search engine do not believe that the company collects personally identifiable information, but that does not prevent most of them from wanting whatever information the company does collect kept private.

Nearly 90 percent of the 1,017 survey respondents said they believe web searches conducted through Google “are kept private,” 56 percent still did not want the company giving any search information to the government.

“People feel very strongly about this,” Larry Ponemon, chairman of the Tucson, Ariz.-based institute, said. “It doesn't matter if Google collects personally identifiable information or not. It's that, if the government gets it, it could be put into a dossier, or something, someday in a way that identifies you.”

Free Speech Coalition Director Tom Hymes told XBiz he thinks that kind of fear is justified. The search engine subpoenas, according to Hymes, are just the beginning of what he sees as an extended attempt by the Bush administration to use fear tactics as a guise for obliterating free speech and the right to privacy.

“I think this administration is trying to use whatever rationale they can to get as much information about Americans as they can,” Hymes said. “They’re trying to justify the search of information domestically. If they’re able to get away with this, they will use it as a justification for other encroachments.”

Ponemon said the survey was conducted over the Jan. 21 weekend to determine how the public views U.S. requests for search engine data that have gone out to Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL. All but Google have complied with the requests, which ask for statistical information relating to what users are searching for online.

Google’s stance may be good business if the survey results are any indication. According to Ponemon, 38 percent of those surveyed said they would stop using Google if the company complied with the government’s subpoena.

“People have an expectation of privacy when they use Google, and now they are wondering about it,” Ponemon said. “It's all about trust in the government. If you believe the current administration is doing a good job protecting your privacy rights, you think it's OK for Google to give them the information.”

Hymes clearly doesn’t fall into that category, predicting the subpoenas are far more than just legal fodder for the Bush camp’s attempts to reintroduce the controversial Child Online Protection Act, shot down by the Supreme Court more than two years ago.

“The Bush administration is trying to use the adult industry as an excuse to do these kinds of things,” Hymes said. “In their minds, the adult industry is domestic terrorism. Everyone here is monitoring the situation very closely, as are many other free speech groups. But I know the government will keep continuing to push legal boundaries.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Report: VPN Downloads Soar in UK Following Age Verification Deadline

Virtual private network apps, which can be used to circumvent geo-specific age verification requirements, are topping Apple App Store downloads in the U.K. in the wake of new Online Safety Act rules, the BBC is reporting.

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Show More