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Can someone clarify if Google had to reveal they had done this? The article implies that they did not, and thus the reveal was a "not evil" gesture of transparency. But I'm wondering if they may have known it would get out anyway and they are just getting in front of it. Anyone have more information?

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From http://www.google.com/transparencyreport/userdatarequests/le...

"We notify users about legal demands when appropriate, unless prohibited by law or court order."

Your wording implies that you think Google has something to hide or to be embarrassed about releasing the data, and that is not the case.

The government asks for people's data all the time, and Google is legally obligated to provide the requested data. They then go the extra step and tell the users as soon as they are allowed to.

There's nothing here to "get in front of."

I could have chosen more fair words - that isn't what I meant to say.

Anyway sounds like it's generally a good guy move, just wanted to check what others thought.

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