Google hits back at FBI plans to search personal computers outside the U.S.

Google says a proposed law change to allow the FBI to search for personal data held on computers outside the U.S. could have “monumental” ramifications. U.S. law enforcement agencies say it is essential for them to be able to tap into data held in other countries, because cloud computing means data is often stored far away from the location of an investigation. Currently, judges are prevented from issuing warrants for data held outside their district. The Justice Department and FBI wants the scope of warrants to be widened.

The nature of today’s technology is such that warrants issued under the proposed amendment will in many cases end up authorising the government to conduct searches outside the United States.

Google statement

It says the power would be particularly important in investigations where suspects have concealed the location of their computer networks. But Google has hit back strongly as part of a public consultation on the issue. In its submission to the Washington committee of judges considering the proposed changes, Google says the new powers would raise “monumental and highly complex constitutional, legal and geopolitical concerns that should be left to Congress to decide”.

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