Google turns over information on its Orkut users

Google's Orkut social networking website -- hugely popular in Brazil -- is having yet another court battle with the Brazilian government, who wants Google to turn over information on certain Orkut users. Google, kind of like eBay in a way, does not want to release private information about any of it online customers due to the privacy aspect that customer expect when doing business with the web giant.

However, along with privacy comes criminal element that won't ever stop. There are apparently some Orkut users peddling in child pornography, hate speech against blacks, Jews, homosexuals and other atrocities. But, is Google "doing evil" by not giving information away to Brazilian authorities about Orkut users involved in these criminal activities?

Google's Debbie Frost said "It is and always has been our intention to be as cooperative in the investigation and prosecution of crimes as we possibly can, while being careful to balance the interests of our users and the request from the authorities." This is going to be a nice balancing act from this point forward of course, as Google tries to respect the privacy of its users, but while trying to assist in rooting out criminals at the same time.