What you choose to read says a lot about who you are, what you value, and what you believe. That’s why libraries and the ACLU have long defended the privacy of readers.  But we need your help in moving protecting reader privacy rights into the digital era.

In the near future, Google is planning to dramatically expand its book service, Google Book Search. The good news is that millions of books will be available for browsing and reading online. But without strong privacy protections, all of your browsing and reading history may be collected, tracked, and turned over to the government or third parties without your knowledge or consent.

Please take a minute to email Google CEO Eric Schmidt and demand that Google Book Search protect your freedom to read privately, by taking these steps:

• Protect your reading records by refusing to disclose information on what you’re reading to any third party, including credit card companies and book publishers, unless required by a properly-issued search warrant (for criminal cases) or court order (for civil cases) and informing you before complying with such requests whenever possible;
• Limit collection of reading information by enabling anonymous use of the service, by connecting Google Book Search records and records from other Google services only with specific, informed consent, and by purging all unnecessary data within 30 days;
• Give you control over your records with the ability to edit and delete any information collected about you and to restrict access to any information you wish to keep confidential; and
• Comply transparently with these demands by maintaining an easy-to-read privacy policy and by publishing the number and type of demands for user information that are received on an annual basis.

You should be able to read about anything – from politics to health – without worrying that someone is looking over your shoulder. Demand that Google pledge to protect your privacy and not stockpile and share information about your reading habits. The time is now to stop Google Books from becoming a one-stop shop for government fishing expeditions into the reading habits of Americans.

TAKE ACTION today.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I'm a potential user of the Google Book Search service and I want to know that Google Book Search will protect my freedom to read, including a solid privacy policy that includes the following protections:

1) Protection Against Disclosure: I should be able to use Google Book Search without worrying that the government or a third party is reading over my shoulder. Google should promise that it will protect my reading records by releasing them only in response to properly issued warrants from law enforcement and court orders from private parties, and notify me if anyone has demanded access to information about me.

2) Limited Tracking: Just as I can anonymously browse books in a library or bookstore, I should be able to search, browse, and preview books on Google Book Search without being forced to identify myself to Google. I should not have to register or provide any personal information and Google should not keep logging information for any of its services longer than 30 days. Google should also not link any information it does collect about my use of Google Book Search to any other information about me without my specific, affirmative consent.

3) User Control: I should have complete control of my purchases and purchasing data. I should be able to delete my records and have extensive permissions controls for my "bookshelves" or any other reading displays. I should be able to "give" books to anyone, including to myself, without tracking. Google also shouldn't reveal any information about my Google Book use to credit card processors or any other third parties.

4) Transparency: Google should provide an easy-to-read privacy policy, and should publish the type and number of requests for user information that it receives on an annual basis.

I will be watching Google in the coming weeks and I look forward to seeing strong, user-focused privacy standards for Google Book Search.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 28, 2009