Privacy concerns over Google Desktop 3
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.
But the EFF claimed this feature "greatly increases the risk to consumer privacy" due to U.S. 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.
Google wasn't immediately available for comment on Friday, but the company has pointed out that users can choose which files are shared. Google will delete any copies of the files from its servers within 30 days and encrypts the data, Sundar Pichai, director of product management at Google, said earlier this week.
Google automatically excludes from being transferred any password-protected files and secure Web pages, and users can exclude any other folders or files they want to, Pichai added.
Although the UK has different legislation surrounding the access of electronic data, Peter Sommer, a research fellow at the London School of Economics, said any data that Google stores on its servers could potentially be accessed by law enforcement agencies.
"If a law enforcement agency wants this information from Google, legally they're entitled to do that provide they comply with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act," said Sommer. "From a practical perspective, law enforcement agencies are always looking for places where they can get a great deal of information without much effort."