Between January and June this year, the Australian government asked Google for information on 361 user accounts, and Google coughed up in 73 per cent of those cases. Compared to the last half of last year, that’s a slightly higher number of requests, but Google actually handed over the data a bit less often. More »
Google has been issuing transparency reports detailing government requests to have content removed for a while now. The latest instalment promises more detail, including when governments have asked for individual user data. For Australia, the number of removal requests has dropped, but there were 345 requests for individual user information between July and December 2010, and Google coughed up in around 280 cases. More »
Google has just released its biannual figures on what content government bodies asked it to remove in the first six months of 2010. The biggest surprise? Just how many items on Google Groups were removed at the request of the Australian government. More »
Even if you don’t have your own account, Twitter has its uses. It’s increasingly used by government agencies to communicate information, as demonstrated by a useful list of agencies that have taken to tweeting. More »
Google has launched a Government Requests site, showing which global governments have asked it to either remove links or offer information about users. Not surprisingly, the censorship-favouring Australian Government is quite high on the list. More »
Whether you think spending money on “economic stimulus” is vitally important or a waste of time and money, you can find out how money has been allocated in your area via a fairly straightforward government web site. More »
It might sound like something from The Hollowmen, but the Federal Government really is running a ‘Government 2.0′ taskforce to assess how Web 2.0 technologies can be better used to deliver services — and in suitably interactive style, they’re seeking online commentary on it. More »
