Google: More People Will Die From Swine Flu If We Cannot Retain Search Data

Google: More People Will Die From Swine Flu If We Cannot Retain Search Data:

"Google has cited a possible influenza pandemic as a reason why it should be allowed to permanently retain users’ search data without restrictions.

There is an ongoing debate within the European Commission as to how long web companies should be able to keep such data, with privacy advocates suggesting it be wiped after six months.

However, Google co-founder Larry Page has suggested that the company should not be hindered in retaining search data, rather ludicrously suggesting that the more restrictions there are on data retention, the 'more likely we all are to die'.

'Our up-to-date influenza estimates may enable public health officials and health professionals to better respond to seasonal epidemics and pandemics,' Page is reported to have claimed at Google annual Zeitgeist conference in London."