The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a U.S. digital rights group, is concerned that Google’s new Desktop search program is a significant privacy risk, BBC News reports.The new Desktop search program allows users to search multiple computers for information or files.For more on Google’s new Desktop search, read CSO sister publication, CIO’s New Google Desktop Search Tools.In order to search more than one computer, users allow Google to transfer information or files from one computer to the next. This means that Google possesses the files on its own servers. Google’s release of the new search tools comes amidst the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing effort to obtain information on the search habits of its users. The DOJ issued subpoenas to a number of different search entities, like America Online, requesting similar information, but Google is the only one that refused. For more background on Google’s DOJ subpoena refusal, read CIO’s Google Lawsuit to Be Heard in February and Google Subpoena Hearing Postponed.“Coming on the heels of serious consumer concern about government snooping into Google’s search logs, it’s shocking that Google expects its users to now trust it with the contents of their personal computers,” said EFF staff attorney Kevin Bankston. “Unless you configure Google Desktop very carefully, and few people will, Google will have copies of your tax returns, love letters, business records, financial and medical files, and whatever other text-based documents the desktop software can index.” Google has responded to privacy concerns by assuring users that all transferred data will be encrypted and its access restricted. The company also says the data will not be retained for more than 30 days, BBC News reports.“We think this will be a very useful tool, but you will have to give up some of your privacy,” Google’s vice president of search products and user experience, Marissa Mayer said.For more recent action by the EFF, read EFF Sues AT&T Over U.S. Wiretapping Program.Don’t forget to keep checking in at our CSO Security Feed page for updated news coverage. Related content news UK government plans 2,500 new tech recruits by 2025 with focus on cybersecurity New apprenticeships and talent programmes will support recruitment for in-demand roles such as cybersecurity technologists and software developers By Michael Hill Sep 29, 2023 4 mins Education Industry Education Industry Education Industry news UK data regulator orders end to spreadsheet FOI requests after serious data breaches The Information Commissioner’s Office says alternative approaches should be used to publish freedom of information data to mitigate risks to personal information By Michael Hill Sep 29, 2023 3 mins Government Cybercrime Data and Information Security feature Cybersecurity startups to watch for in 2023 These startups are jumping in where most established security vendors have yet to go. By CSO Staff Sep 29, 2023 19 mins CSO and CISO Security news analysis Companies are already feeling the pressure from upcoming US SEC cyber rules New Securities and Exchange Commission cyber incident reporting rules don't kick in until December, but experts say they highlight the need for greater collaboration between CISOs and the C-suite By Cynthia Brumfield Sep 28, 2023 6 mins Regulation Data Breach Financial Services Industry Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe