In which I destroy my libertarian cred forever by asking why this should be a big deal. First, they’re not sharing individual users’ IP info, just the aggregate data to help the government track outbreaks epidemiologically — which their privacy policy already allows them to do. Second, it’s not for the feds’ eyes only, apparently; curiosity seekers can track the info themselves on the Google Flu map. Third, if they do break their promise and share personal info, word is bound to get out and send users scurrying for Yahoo, a fact that Google explicitly recognizes on its blog. Fourth, as Althouse reminds us, the stakes in stopping an outbreak early are, potentially, rather high. So what’s the argument, aside from the standard “slippery slope” that can be applied to anything?

Incidentally, haven’t they been doing this for years already with Google Trends? Every six months or so, some new data from Google about the vast appetite for porn in the Middle East will make the rounds, prompting a day’s worth of snickers in the blogosphere. This is the same thing, it seems, except with health benefits. Exit question: How is it significantly different from, say, the Nielsen ratings?