House Committee Has Privacy Questions For Google; Google Says Bring It On

With the debate continuing after Google announced a sweeping new approach to its privacy policy on Tuesday, the company has issued a fairly terse statement that also confirms reports that Congress has questions about Google’s changes.

In a short blog post, Google Policy Manager Betsy Masiello says Google “look(s) forward” to answering questions from Congress. That’s in response to, and confirmation of, an earlier Reuters report that the House Energy and Commerce Committee wants to talk to Google about its privacy policy. From the Reuters article:

In a letter to Google Chief Executive Larry Page, the lawmakers said the company’s announcement “raises questions about whether consumers can opt-out of the new data sharing system either globally or on a product-by-product basis.”

Masiello’s blog post also offers “the real story” about what Google announced, with this fairly angry-sounding bullet point:

We’re making things simpler and we’re trying to be upfront about it. Period.

There’s no word when or how Google and the House Committee might have that Q&A, whether via hearing or written statements.

Postscript: The House committee’s announcement is now available online, and it includes a link to download the letter (PDF) sent to Larry Page. Also, The Hill is reporting that committee member Rep. Edward Markey plans to ask the FTC to investigate Google’s privacy changes, although that’s not mentioned in the committee’s letter.