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Judge Says You Can't Know If Google Spies For NSA

Posted by timothy on from the all-fibers-lead-to-maryland dept.

witherstaff writes "A federal judge has ordered that whether Google is spying for the National Security Agency or not, you have no right to know. EPIC, which brought the lawsuit, says the NSA can neither confirm nor deny any relationship with Google. EPIC is worried the 'NSA is developing technical standards that would enable greater surveillance of Internet users.'"

11 of 197 comments (clear)

  1. But don't worry by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Funny

    After all, we're the good guys. We're just doing it to keep you safe from the red threat. Erh, the terrorists.

    Could someone FINALLY update my teleprompter, please?

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    1. Re:But don't worry by memyselfandeye · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The race is over. We won!

      When I was a teenager, after the wall fell down, a Russian scientist looking to hawk his invention moved in with my family. He was great, and taught me a lot, especially how to drink vodka. But one thing he said will always stick with me - "America and Russia always competed to see who was first. America built first nuclear submarine. Russia build first space rocket. America built first moon rocket. Eventually we had nothing to compete for, so we raced to see who spend money fastest. Russia won!"

  2. Confirmed by TaoPhoenix · · Score: 4, Informative

    This is Legal Speak for Confirmed.

    Thread Over.

    --
    My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
  3. Misleading by camperdave · · Score: 5, Informative

    The National Security Agency does not have to disclose its relationship with Google amid press reports that the two partnered up after hackers in China launched a cyber attack on the U.S. government, a federal judge in Washington ruled.

    It's not that you don't have a right to know. Its that the NSA is under no obligation to tell you. There's a big difference.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    1. Re:Misleading by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      Jeebus, go read up on the philosophies produced during The Enlightment, especially Rousseau's concept of "Dignity of Man", and how those philosophies influenced the Founding Fathers as they set out to write the Constitution. Also look up the phrase "inalienable rights"

      Idiots like you are the reason we're losing more of our rights with each successive national election.

    2. Re:Misleading by wickerprints · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I interpreted the grandparent post as meaning that there is a distinction to be drawn between what information we, in principle, should have access to, versus the actual state of what we do have access to. In other words, we do have an intrinsic right to know--it is simply that this right is not recognized by the government.

      Not all "rights" are those that are defined and granted by law. The US Constitution attempts to be as broad as possible in codifying certain basic rights, but as we have seen throughout history, that doesn't mean every right we do have is actually allowed to be exercised in practice. That comes down to the subjective interpretations of nine fallible old people, many of whom are beholden to personal biases and political interests. And quite often, the way they rule does in fact deny people of their actual rights on a very fundamental level.

      As nice as it may sound to have a state that is of the people, by the people, for the people...that is not what the US actually is, nor has it ever been. The government has always been of itself, by itself, and for itself, and the people are merely a source of money and labor for the powerful to exploit. It's a lie on the same level of communist propaganda. All government exists to rob power from the individual to concentrate it for the few.

    3. Re:Misleading by bonch · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's not that you don't have a right to know. Its that the NSA is under no obligation to tell you. There's a big difference.

      You can't find out if they won't tell you. There is no difference.

      You're buying right into what they're doing. They're skirting around the issue of right to public knowledge by simply not saying anything. "Oh, it's not that you don't have a right to know. We just don't have to tell you when you ask. Therefore, we're not violating your right to know."

      That's complete bullshit.

  4. They do not need to confirm it by houghi · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In times where people get grabbed at airports, wiretaps are done at almost random, why would the NSA NOT use and abuse google?

    US citizens: you have made your nest (by voting between two evils) now sleep in it.

    --
    Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
  5. Re:Sooooo by erroneus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've said it before and I will say it again. Google is an advertising/marketing company and because of that, I only trust them to be what they are and act accordingly. They offer great candy to the people, but I am careful about which candy I will eat. No Chrome for me, thanks. I only run customized Android OS loads with a lot of crap removed. I use Google for searching. That's just about it. The social network? Yeah, not gonna play there.

  6. No Such Agency by lexsird · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I have a bumper sticker for you; "It's a modern world; Surveillance Happens!"

    Our government has been eavesdropping on us since the telegraph. Accept it, get over it. I don't worry because I am a "good ole boy". If they watch the likes of me with an iota of interest, the world must indeed be safe and boring. 99.99999999% of us are boring as hell. Hence is why you have to automate this crap and search for key words, then individual vocal and speech patterns. I bet they have some sweet gear for listening in on us these days. If they don't, I am so seriously disappointed it makes me want to cry. If they don't, lets pitch in and get them something for Christmas, ok?

    On a slightly more somber note, I can't imagine what kind of monster computer these guys have. Seriously, what would YOU do with their computers if you were contracting for them and had access to them for a few hours. I would find a list of women who like middle aged fat guys. Make some serious raytraced animated porn? Or would you submit your "mind simulator" into it and see if you create a singularity? I think therefor I am? Or just get everyone in the building to get on a terminal and see what game everyone could play at once? Everyone log into WoW, make gnomes and storm Ironforge to be epically annoying?

    Eww! I know, one could steal back all the money and give it to the poor. They would just blow it and the rich would get it again, but it would make a grand holiday.

    Come on, people. It's the NSA, they are the weird uncle of the intelligence agencies as it is. They aren't worried about your mp3s, torrents, or your pron. 99.9999% of us are incapable of being weird enough to make their radar. Right? Besides, I am a Google fan, they stood up to China, and probably still are standing up to them. If the NSA is working with Google, that is cool. I bet they have some awesome apps for agents. "Google Agent"; I can see it now.

    Can't lick 'em, join 'em?

    --
    Take the Red Pill.
  7. Why is it confirmed? by Karljohan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Isn't it legal speak for "hmmm... but... if we deny this, won't you just keep asking the same thing about all companies until we say that we can't comment?"