Google: More government takedown requests than ever before

[Borg 386]

Requests by governments worldwide to remove content from Google's services have hit an all-time high, according to the company.

Between July and December 2012, Google received 2,285 government requests for the removal of content on its services. In total, 24,179 pieces of content were asked to be removed by the government entities, setting a new record, according to Google. In the first half of 2012, Google received 1,811 requests to remove more than 18,000 pieces of content.

Google's release, which is part of the company's Transparency Report launched three years ago, indicates that attempts at political censorship are becoming an increasingly troublesome issue. The company says that many of the requests were court orders requesting the removal of negative opinions on government officials.

Google: More government takedown requests than ever before | Internet & Media - CNET News