the big G's- Google and Government

LOS ANGELES (CNS ) - Frustrated by a slow, antiquated, crash-prone
computer system, the city of Los Angeles is weighing a plan to replace its e-
mail and records retention software with a service provided by Google, it was
reported today.
The move that could allow the Internet giant to retain sensitive records
transmitted by the police and other municipal agencies, the Los Angeles Times
reported.
If approved by the City Council, responsibility for protecting the
internal data and public records would be shifted from the city to Google,
according to a report submitted this week to a council committee that will
weigh the proposed $7.25 million contract, The Times reported.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa favors the effort to modernize the e-mail
system, which his spokesman, Matt Szabo, described to The Times as "Pac-Man-
era technology."
The current system "has got to be the slowest, most inefficient, crash-
prone e-mail system in the history of mankind," Szabo added.
A Los Angeles Police Department spokesman, Lt. John Romero, said it
would be inappropriate for his agency to comment while a contract is being
negotiated.
But acting City Administrative Officer Ray Ciranna, the city's top
financial advisor, told The Times that the LAPD has raised questions about
Google's ability to shield sensitive arrest information.
L.A city officials also question whether Google, as keeper of the
records, would have to respond to public information requests, The Times
reported.
"Release of this data by Google without appropriate review by the city
attorney could compromise the city's position regarding pending or potential
litigation," according to a staff report quoted by The Times.
City officials hope to have the Google system installed before Dec. 31.
If the council misses that deadline, the city could be required to pay for
continuing maintenance on the current GroupWise e-mail system, according to The
Times.
CNS-07-17-2009 04:40 (FTP)



THIS IS FROM A CITY NEWS SERVICE ARTICLE