Google denies FBI masterminding Gmail

Google on Thursday denied that it has had any contact with the FBI regarding the design of its Gmail web email service. The search firm's denial came after the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the FBI seeking information about whether the bureau was considering the "possible use of Google's Gmail service for law enforcement and intelligence investigations."

EPIC, which gave an award last week to a California state senator who is trying to ban Gmail, announced the request immediately after Google said it was filing for an initial public offering.

Critics immediately criticised EPIC's request as a publicity stunt and because the nonprofit likened Google's web-based email service to the FBI's controversial Carnivore wiretapping utility and the Pentagon's discontinued "Orwellian Total Information Awareness program."

EPIC's request also asked whether Google had discussed licensing its search technology, in use by customers in the private sector, to the FBI "to further law enforcement investigations or intelligence gathering activities."

Google spokesman Nathan Tyler replied: "I cannot confirm whether they're using our technology."