Good news for those concerned with personal privacy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6453137.stmPrivacy bodies have welcomed Google's decision to anonymise personal data it receives from users' web searches.
The firm previously held information about searches for an indefinite period but will now anonymise it after 18 to 24 months.
"This is an extremely positive development," said Ari Schwartz, deputy director of the Center for Democracy and Technology, a US-based watchdog.
"It's the type of thing we have been advocating for a number of years."
However, governments could still force Google to hold onto data or hand it over to authorities.
Mr Fleischer said the firm was holding on to the information for up to 24 months in part to match data retention laws being rolled out across Europe.
European internet service providers (ISPs) and phone companies are in the process of implementing an EU directive which forces them to retain a variety of communication data for up to two years.
Like most of you I see no reason to record anyones search information and even less reason to store it for 2 years as required under EU laws, but its a firmly commited timescale and may keep some folks happy.
