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Comment by ehhthing | Hacker News Reader

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The government is literally asking for that data though? It doesn't really matter why Google wants it, the effect is the same. We should be concerned and we should resist giving them as much data as possible, because when the government comes knocking they'll ask for everything they have. And who and what the government wants can change quicker than you might imagine (see how the Texas government is going after women having miscarriages, for example)

This is your choice obviously, you get to choose how much data you give to them. You can also choose not to give any data at all if you wish.

> The government is literally asking for that data though? It doesn't really matter why Google wants it, the effect is the same

But it DOES matter, because a conspiracy (which you’re arguing is happening) is when parties make secret plans jointly to commit an unlawful or harmful act. They have to make hose secret plans jointly for it to be a conspiracy. Weaving that narrative without evidence is the definition of a conspiracy theorist.

Certainly it's better to stick with the factual conspiracies like NSA's PRISM program: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM

or Room 641A: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room_641A

If they can install hardware in companies and run data collection programs, I don't see why wouldn't they be directing the data collection policies too.

You're delusional if you think the landscape 10 years ago is the same now. Companies are much less likely to simply capitulate to governments now. In fact, the references you make here are why they're less likely to allow these kinds of things.

It looks really bad for them, and it affects their bottom line when these things come out. When public trust in your service is crucial to its existence, you can spend more on lawyers to fight the government about it.

Right, companies are extralegal vigilantes fighting against the oppressive governments together with the people.

Are you sure that you are not the delusional one by claiming that this(working with the governments) affects their bottom line? How much money the law abiding government friendly companies lost so far?

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