Google gets help from superspy agency

Facing serious threats to its computer networks from Chinese cyber attacks, Google has turned to the super secret National Security Agency (NSA) for help.

There is probably is no better expert on the planet than the electronic spy agency, and Google is hoping that the arrangement with NSA will help it to better defend itself and its users from future attack. The Washington Post reported that the agreement will allow the two organizations to share critical information without violating Google's policies or the laws that protect the privacy of its users.

The newspaper said NSA will not be viewing searches or email accounts, and Google will not share its proprietary data with the government agency.

There is growing consensus about the serious cyber threat coming from foreign nations, and the need for collaboration between the government and the private sector. At the same time, such partnerships raise a variety of privacy issues, and raise the possibility of inappropriate intrusion into the lives of Americans by the government.

Ellen McCarthy, president of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, told the Washington Post that the critical question is, "At what level will the American public be comfortable with Google sharing information with NSA?"

Google announced last month that its systems had been hacked in a series of intrusions beginning in December. There were reports that the attacks came from China, and that the target was Google's source code, the programming language underlying Google applications. In addition, Gmail accounts of human rights activists in Europe, China and the United States were compromised.

Google threatened to close operations in China if the government did not agree to let the firm operate an uncensored search engine there. These issues remain unresolved.

For more on Google and NSA:
- check out this Washington Post article

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