Rapped over privacy, Google to cut back data on users

The information, which is gathered every time Google8217;s search engine is used, gives indications of the searcher8217;s tastes and interests. Google shares general information on search trends, but says that it does not release this personal information outside the company.

8220;We believe we can still address our legitimate interests in security, innovation and antifraud efforts with this shorter period,8221; Peter Fleischer, Google8217;s global privacy counsel, wrote in the letter. He added that the company would 8220;firmly reject8221; a retention period that was any shorter.

Fleischer said that the company faced a great lack of legal clarity, with some of its services potentially falling under European Union data retention rules that require companies to keep some records of electronic communication for up to 24 months.

The move was part of a discussion that Google had begun with the group to clarify privacy questions.

Fleischer said that Google had been working to balance conflicting considerations in an area where the industry has taken little action.

8220;We looked at what other companies in the industry do, and we were not able to find explicit and clear privacy policies,8221; Fleischer said.

Google is committed to following US law and European Union data protection principles, Fleischer said in the letter. He added that there were many gray areas of how to deal with privacy matters. 8220;Retention of logs data is critical to our ability to operate and improve our services and to provide adequate security for our users,8221; he said.

The new policy on data retention came days after Privacy International, an advocacy group based in London, gave Google the lowest privacy protection rating of all major Internet properties.

8220;We were disappointed with the report because it is full of numerous inaccuracies,8221; Fleischer said on Tuesday. 8220;Google is open to an ongoing dialogue on privacy issues.8221;