Google is considering closing the German version of Gmail. This is in response to the German legislation concerning internet surveillance. Google considers the legislation to be a threat to privacy:

“…Fleischer said the German Justice Ministry wants to make it an obligation not only for internet providers but also for those which offer E-mail services to provide customers data in such a way that users could be identified.”

link: Google to close German email

Google has had tremendous pressure on the issue of privacy. Most recently, many have criticized the Google street level views of their map service. Such an unprecedented move by Google in Germany would be an action that privacy advocates would applaud. And Google can point to such action as trying to maintain their motto of ‘don’t be evil’.

Catherine Forsythe

Tags: google, gmail, legislation, germany, privacy, surveillance, motto