Conyers wants answers from Google and Facebook on privacy

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) wrote to Google and Facebook Friday demanding answers on recent privacy violations by the two companies.

The House Judiciary Chairman is considering holding hearings and introducing legislation related to online privacy and other security concerns, according to a statement Friday. Conyers wrote to Google chief executive Eric Schmidt and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg asking them to explain recent reports of privacy violations by the two firms. 

"I want to ensure that privacy concerns are as paramount as creativity to these and all Internet companies, and I look forward to hearing about ways they can ensure this is the case," Conyers said.

Conyers joins the growing chorus of lawmakers wanting more information on Google's illegal collection of private information transmitted over wireless networks. The company recently admitted to inadvertantly downloading emails and documents from user networks while mapping images for its "Street View" product. 

Google has since apologized, though Schmidt tried to downplay the damage at UK conference claiming "no harm, no foul."

In his letter Conyers asks the company to retain any data collected by the Street View cars as well as any records related to the collection. That might be challenging since Google claims it has already deleted the data in question.

Zuckerberg announced a series of changes to Facebook's privacy controls on Wednesday following a backlash by users frustrated by their complexity. Conyers' statement acknowledges the changes but asks Zuckerberg to explain what information was shared inadvertantly and how the new policies will stop it from happening.

Update: Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes sends the following comment: "We appreciate Chairman Conyers' interest in our personalization products and look forward to meeting with his staff to explain our industry-leading privacy practices and the powerful privacy tools we began rolling out this week."