Did you know that the UK government recently made over 1,166 requests for data from Google?  I suspect that in many cases officials were asking for the contents of people's individual email accounts.

Have a look at this really interesting site   - run by Google - which shows which governments are asking for what.

The state should be able to make requests in this way in order to fulfil its primary purpose of protecting its citizenry.  It is right that Google provides information under certain conditions.  After all, if a free individual doesn't like the fact that the state could access their Google account in this way, don't have one.   

The danger is that requests for data stop becoming exceptional, and start to become routine.  Snooping gmail accounts should not be acceptable expect when dealing with pretty serious offences. 

What is encouraging is that Google, on the face of it, seems pretty robust in turning down government requests to remove items officials object to.  Almost one in four British requests was turned down.  

I'd be alarmed if Google complied with 100% of removal requests.  Equally, if too many requests were being rejected, I'd want to know why British officials were so quick to ask.   

It is good that Google allows us to see what our government is asking of them - and compare it with what other governments are doing, too.