Google: Porno or bust!
Well, I've managed to not mention Google for a whole couple of weeks or so... but this government fight preserving privacy on behalf of porno searchers was just too ridiculous to not comment on. At first blush, I can envision that Google feels 1) seriously committed to protecting user privacy which is a very good thing and 2) that by protecting user privacy Google can retain some of the "Do No Evil" ethic that has been questioned lately.
However, when I mentioned this to my wife (Lisa), she said she was unmoved by Google's fight against the government because of the subject material. Quote: "Who wants to defend the right to watch porno?" Duh. While protecting privacy at all costs against Big Brother would normally be viewed in a very positive light, doing so for the sake of pornography would umm... not. I'm certain there's a cross-section of 18-50 year old men/women who vehemently disagree - that's why I'm starting a petition on this blog (not that I support it). So go ahead and leave a comment in support of porno privacy in the comment field, but leave your full name otherwise it doesn't count :P
However, when I mentioned this to my wife (Lisa), she said she was unmoved by Google's fight against the government because of the subject material. Quote: "Who wants to defend the right to watch porno?" Duh. While protecting privacy at all costs against Big Brother would normally be viewed in a very positive light, doing so for the sake of pornography would umm... not. I'm certain there's a cross-section of 18-50 year old men/women who vehemently disagree - that's why I'm starting a petition on this blog (not that I support it). So go ahead and leave a comment in support of porno privacy in the comment field, but leave your full name otherwise it doesn't count :P
posted by Ro at 1/23/2006
6 Comments:
Ro,
Not sure that the buck stops with Porno. The DOJ originally sought a full month's worth of unique queries and all the URL's in their database. It was only after negotiations that the government agreed to reduce the request to samples. Think that other parts of the government won’t get their hands on this data? Since the Bush Administration has a fantastic record in respecting privacy rights, I’m sure there is nothing to be concerned about.
Danny
PS. I seriously think you don't like my website.
Patience is a virtue Danny :) Just trying to come up with another comparable to write up a piece on...
Irregardless of Google's motivation for fighting the DOJ (which I think are good and some anti-Googlers that shall remain unnamed may find silly), I support of pornography on the web. Heck, I support legalized prostitution and drugs (yes, within limits).
First of all, we all have looked at it (admit it you cowards!), but more importantly I am opposed to the "substitute parent" government over-regulating based on the moral majority. This is a free country founded on principles of freedom and democracy. That includes freedom of speech, freedom of not being spied on and freedom to be what you want to be.
It's not a black and white argument, children and the elderly need protection as the most vulnerable members of our society, but I am tired of parents looking to the government to regulate what they're too busy or too stupid to do themselves.
Don't want your kids to see pornography? Talk to them (wow, what a thought) openly about sex and pornography and then look for some good filtering and access control software.
Finally, take them out of school, avoid the school bus and keep them away from all media. Send them to a catholic school and beat the crap out of them if you even suspect they masturbate -- after all Satan invented it.
Okay, off my soap box.
Porno! Porno! Porno! :-P
Is that a cry of shame or rally of support cindy?
Well if you want me to be serious, Ro, you asked for it.
Why should we defend something we might find to be morally reprehensible? Imagine that the government, health insurance companies and future employers had the legal precedence to make judgements against you based on your Internet activities. If this were the case, would you think twice before conducting your next Google search?
We use the Internet for so much more than looking at porn - from seeking help for personal and medical problems to expressing political dissent to researching topics of interest. And we expect that what we're researching or learning about is private (not to mention protected by the 4th Amendment). So if living in an open and just society - a society where you don't have to worry about what you're searching for on Google - means we have to defend the privacy of people who like porn, its just one of the small prices we have to pay.
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