Google Widely Praised for Opposing Attorney General’s Assault on Speech

Google received accolades from privacy advocates and the press when it fought the Mississippi Attorney General’s (AG) 79-page subpoena demanding information allegedly related to illegal materials available through Google’s services. Google, along with several non-profit organizations, argued that the AG’s subpoena was overbroad and intended to chill speech rather than to further a legitimate investigation. In doing so, Google not only pushed back against an interpretation of the law that would “inevitably” lead to “extraordinary legal costs” for hosting interactive content, it also received widespread attention and praise for standing up for its users’ rights.