Privacy group files complaint over Google's cloud computing
Friday, March 20, 2009
A privacy advocacy group filed a complaint earlier this week with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting an investigation of Google's cloud computing services such as Gmail and Google Docs to determine if the company is neglecting to adequately safeguard confidential information.
Citing an incident in which Google Docs inadvertently shared some users' documents without permission, along with other incidents dating to 2005, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) said in its complaint that the FTC should investigate whether Google failed in its obligation to ensure web security.
EPIC also asked the commission to determine "the adequacy of the privacy and security safeguards, to assess the representations made by the firm regarding these services, to determine whether the firm has engaged in unfair and/or deceptive trade practices and to take any such measures as are necessary, including to enjoin Google from offering such services until safeguards are verifiably established," according to the complaint.
"Rest assured that your documents, spreadsheets and presentations will remain private unless you publish them to the web or invite collaboration and/or viewers," Google states on the Google Docs help webpage.
EPIC said FTC action is required to ensure web and email security for consumers, businesses and federal agencies.
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