Google has denied it has a back door that would compromise the security of its users' data following reports on Friday that the US's National Security Agency (NSA) obtained direct access to it and others' systems.
According to the Guardian in the United Kingdom, it obtained a top secret document that showed the NSA obtained direct access to the systems of Google, Facebook, Apple and six other US-based internet giants which, collectively, cover the vast majority of online email, search, video and communication networks.
The Guardian said the NSA access is part of a previously undisclosed program called PRISM, which allows officials to collect material including search history, the content of emails, file transfers and live chats, the document states.
The report said it has verified the authenticity of the document, a 41-slide PowerPoint presentation which claims "collection directly from the servers" of major US service providers with the assistance of all companies.
The document reportedly claimed the world's largest internet brands are part of the information-sharing program since its introduction in 2007.
Microsoft was said to be the first, with collection beginning in December 2007, followed by Yahoo in 2008; Google, Facebook and PalTalk in 2009; YouTube in 2010; Skype and AOL in 2011; and Apple in 2012.
But, "all those who responded to a Guardian request for comment on Thursday denied knowledge of any such program", the publication reported.
Security of its users data
In a statement, also sent to the Mail & Guardian, Google said it cared deeply about the security of its users data.
"We disclose user data to government in accordance with the law, and we review all such requests carefully. From time to time, people allege that we have created a government 'back door' into our systems, but Google does not have a 'back door' for the government to access private user data."
The Guardian said the program facilitates extensive, in-depth surveillance on live communications and stored information. The law allows for the targeting of any customers of participating firms who live outside the US, or those Americans whose communications include people outside the US. It also opens the possibility of communications made entirely within the US being collected without warrants."
Google was recently hit with a $190 000 fine in Germany for privacy breaches relating to its Google Maps offering. And, according to USA TODAY, it is also the subject of an active European Union investigation for potentially violating existing privacy rules last year when it consolidated 60 privacy policies into one.