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Google asks US government to allow publishing of 'snoop data request' reports

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ANI Johannesburg

Internet search giant Google has reportedly asked the US government to allow it to disclose 'data requests' about users' web activities to prove its non-alignment with US-run spy programme 'Prism'.

The NSA, which operates the Prism programme, claims that it has gained access to the servers of these companies.

According to News 24, Google in its letter addressed to Attorney General Eric Holder and FBI Director Robert Mueller aims to debunk the media reports about it being part of the US spy programme.

Internet companies like Google, Facebook, YouTube, Apple, Microsoft, Paltalk have reportedly been linked to the US-run spy programme, Prism for furnishing user data.

 

However, the companies strongly deny government's access to their servers for snooping on users' emails, photos, videos without the user's knowledge or following any legal procedure.

According to the report, Google insisted that the government has no direct access to its servers and it can prove if it receives clearance to disclose the number of requests that have been submitted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

As per the Federal law, providing any information under FISA requests is prohibited.

Google's chief legal officer, David Drummond, said that the company has nothing to hide as once the clearance to disclose the reports is given, it will become clear that Google has not complied with any FISA requests.

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First Published: Jun 12 2013 | 12:21 PM IST

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