US Government Turning To Google
Posted by Andy Beal
This will give the conspiracy theorists something to sink their teeth into; Google is providing search technology to the nation's intelligence agencies.
Now, before you pull the plug on your Google Toolbar, there's no need to panicyet. Google is simply selling the federal government its Google Search Appliance product.
In addition to the intelligence agencies, Google's government customers include the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the state of Alabama and Washington, D.C.
Many of the contracts are for search appliances - servers for storing and searching internal documents. Agencies can use the devices to create their own mini-Googles on intranets made up entirely of government data.
Many of the contracts are for search appliances - servers for storing and searching internal documents. Agencies can use the devices to create their own mini-Googles on intranets made up entirely of government data.
Oh, and Google's also selling the feds it's Google Earth mapping tool.
Additionally, Google has had success licensing a souped-up version of its aerial mapping service, Google EarthSpy agencies are using Google equipment as the backbone of Intellipedia, a network aimed at helping agents share intelligence.
Wait a minute! The same technology that Google uses to take photos of US citizens in the streets, driving their cars, and sipping lattes at coffee shops???
OK, now you can panic!
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About the Author: Andy Beal is an internet marketing consultant and considered one of the world's most respected and interactive search engine marketing experts. Andy has worked with many Fortune 1000 companies such as Motorola, CitiFinancial, Lowes, Alaska Air, DeWALT, NBC and Experian.
You can read his internet marketing blog at Marketing Pilgrim and reach him at andy.beal@gmail.com.