Dr. Big Brother?

" It takes pictures of you when your driveway and now it's is it Google's street view maps weren't enough the Internet search giant is telling the government when you are sick. Even before you've told your own doctor -- all of part of the new public health initiative that it's called Google flu trends. And -- tool operates by tracking search terms that you put in the site that are flu related. Google uses the terms -- determine where the country outbreaks may be -- And then Google goes on to inform the government. So is this new disease tracking system a public servants or is -- an invasion of privacy Margaret. That it's an invasion of privacy he's the director of the electronic privacy information center. On the other side of this fair and balanced debates you can decide for yourself. Is Manhattan internist doctor Keri Peterson she says this is an important new tool to help prevent many Americans from getting sick each and every -- welcome to -- doctor Peterson let's start with you. Your reaction to see it it's a good idea I think it's a fantastic idea because the government can be aware of where flu outbreak will -- Before the government would ignore all or ordinary reporting would be able to determine what the public. Can find out about 12 weeks earlier this whole idea behind -- systems. Is for people from last people to get sick and if I as a physician can find out where flu outbreak is occurring and it but find out it's occurring here in New York City. It's going to raise my awareness and my suspicions for diagnosing patients but for individuals are they just supposed to be more vigilant and be more aware of Washington are exactly that's the whole idea. -- find out Marc Rotenberg. Why is this not a good idea."

" By the use of friend on of course we think that should be used for public health concern is that the data is based on individual. Search queries in other words -- the information that someone has typed into Google. When they want information about how to deal with the flu or some other medical condition. We wrote to Google today and while praising the program -- said -- had to be strong privacy safeguards in place. We don't think -- place yet and we think that's something that Google needs to do."

" thanks to send you think that this could eventually lead to Google giving the government information. On things that legal. Things but he's not not including health information are you concerned that."

" Sort of yeah clarity patent. Yes that's that's already happened because the government can go to Google. And use a subpoena or court order and save the company we have an interest in this individual or people who are looking for these search terms. Please provide us their names and other identifying data and even in cases where Google has objected. They've been required by courts to turn over that information so we think the privacy issues are are real and they need to be considered particularly because medical information so sensitive."

" Okay -- doctor let's take this one step further let's say that someone has some sort of a contagious illness under the -- something more serious they start to believe that the government is aware and decides it wants start. Quarantining people. It is there -- risk there that you see and the government getting too involved too much Big Brother and."

" There's a slippery slope but we really need to crawl before we walk right now we are talking about simply the flu. And Google has already made an announcement saying that the information of -- is completely anonymous. I do understand the privacy should be insured however. I I feel that the public does have a right to be able to protect themselves. And -- patients can find out that it diseases occurring in their area and take some steps to prevent it then I think that's a wonderful thing. To prevent the spread disease -- mark."

" But yeah we have no objection to making the data and aggregate form available to the public I agree that that's very helpful. The question is where the privacy safeguards to make sure that the government doesn't come knocking that people don't. Become discouraged. From searching for important medical information online. Because they have to worry that the information might be disclosed the government that's a real concern and something that should be addressed. Okay and just how quickly what what what what you need to carefully Google in order to to conquer concerns. Well what we asked Google to do today it was basically publish the technique where algorithm that ensures that the information really is -- on the minds that it can't be. We identified that the government can go back to move on say okay. Now give us information about individuals who are looking for. Kate's symptoms or or -- is sometimes. If they can do. Then we think we'll have good public health information. And the privacy of Internet users --"

" Okay backed -- Barbara Berkeley electronic privacy information center thank you very much and backed Carey isn't I think we found that you too. Do you share some common ground on NASA flew responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year so everybody be on the look -- make sure you wash your hands. All right doctor Gary Peterson Marc Rotenberg thank you so much thank."