As the federal government tries to gain access to queries typed into search engines, issues are raised concerning the right to privacy - for the companies involved as well as the public - and some students and faculty see the request as a violation of civil liberties.
The Justice Department recently subpoenaed the Internet companies Google, Yahoo, America Online and Microsoft Network for information on what is being searched through their sites.
"It's a bit of an invasion of privacy," said Jared Viano, freshman anthropology major.
The government says the information would be used to help keep children away from pornography Web sites. Three of the companies have complied to some degree, but Google has refused to turn over any of their search query data.
"It's a question of how far do we want the government to come into our personal lives," said Steve Conlee, Web specialist for the Information Technology Division.
The Justice Department is asking for all queries typed into the search engines, but without the personal information that could trace the query back to the person doing the search.
Amanda Harris, sophomore political science major, said that although she isn't a private person she knows that other people are.
"I wouldn't care for me personally," she said. "But for the public I can see how it's an invasion (of privacy)."
The government is asking for too much, according to Drew Lester, sophomore international business major.
"You search for something and that's your own business. The government should have nothing to do with it," he said. "If parents want to keep their kids away from pornography they can put blocks on their computer."
Douglas Hurley, vice president for Information Technologies and chief information officer, said Google is doing the right thing.
"Google has taken a courageous stand," he said. "I applaud their efforts."
The information that the government is asking for probably wouldn't reveal any trade secrets, according to Hurley, but Conlee disagreed.
Google could be at risk by giving up the technology that has made them so successful, according to Conlee.
"It's Google's information and they shouldn't have to turn it over," he said.
But it's the government having access to what most people believe to be personal that Jeff Cline, school of music professor, dislikes.
"It's not an invasion yet, but it is definitely a step in that direction," he said.
