Think it is about users and privacy? Maybe not.

“Perhaps the company really is worried about protecting your privacy. Much more likely: It is worried about protecting itself.”

Why, because of trade secrets and technology? Maybe yes, maybe no.

“Google’s claim that the subpoenas could reveal trade secrets is up for debate. Aitan Goelman, partner with the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Zuckerman Spaeder, says he doubts the data the government is looking for would reveal how Google executes its searches.”

So, hmm, what else?

“A public disclosure of exactly how much pornography is on the Internet and how often people look for it–the two data points that will result from fulfilling the government’s subpoena–could serve to make the Internet look bad. And Google, as its leading search engine, could look the worst.”

Pornography?

“Google and its competitors all benefit from porn sites, which help generate search queries and page views.”

Yes, maybe pornography.

“Google and its competitors all benefit from porn sites, which help generate search queries and page views. But Google is the only portal company that makes nearly all of its revenue from click-through advertising. Restricting porn and porn advertising–the likely aim of COPA’s sponsors–could hurt Google disproportionately.”

(Source: Forbes, Authors: Chris Kraeuter and Rachel Rosmarin)

– — –

Redux: When it comes to Google maybe it ain’t about you or other users. Maybe it is about profits. Go figure.

– — –

The Straight Dope: How much of all Internet traffic is pornography?