> It's a bit like the police asking the library who checked out a specific book. After the patriot act was passed enabling the government to seek this kind of

> It's a bit like the police asking the library who checked out a specific book. After the patriot act was passed enabling the government to seek this kind of information my local library changed their records policy to not retain information on who checked out books after they were returned (or at least only for a strictly limited time after), as well as a host of other pieces of data-minimization. My library also put up signs explaining how to use the library most privately (e.g. that if you visit and read books on-site no one will ever collect your name or other personal information). I understand many other libraries did as well and that the ALA promoted such changes. Access to your library history is a violation of your mental privacy. Imagine you found yourself questioning your sexuality, -- you might check out books on the subject. A few years later a repressive regime could come into power and you might find our that your inquisitiveness a few years back placed you under enhanced scrutiny. Because the access to search is even more casual the invasion is even more severe. And unlike your local library Google is MUCH less likely to consider your personal freedom a big priority.