Is It Good For Business To Say No To Gov't Requests For Info?
from the people-respect-that dept
Chris Soghoian recently gave a talk where he reminded companies that it actually can be good for business to say "no" when the government comes asking for info. He ran through a variety of scenarios (many covered here on Techdirt) when certain companies stood up to government requests and said no. When the news was later revealed, companies that have stood up to government requests often get very good press, while those who gave in, get really bad press. Of course, I think Chris may be overselling the case here, as it's not clear that the short burst of good PR from these situations really had a lasting impact. But, it is certainly one reason (among many) that companies shouldn't just roll over every time the government comes calling.






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Do you ever get the impression that they are trolling you own blog?
So let's say your the US Congress. Could they be pulling a Goldman Sachs on you?
Do you like being raped in the ass?
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....
I very much prefer doing business with a company that doesn't just hand everything over as opposed to one who does.
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By withholding information they're only introducing inefficiencies.
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Let's face it: you're right.
But making her mad will only result in other problems. Just tell her you like it and will "enjoy" the GS-running new gyrations every five years to fit their new bubble and require a new move across country for "where the jobs are".
Let's be over with it.
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Like BP?
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Just say no!
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Re:
If you're a business and a regulating agency is requesting information then yes, the Agency is entitled to it. IF, the information is necessary for them to fulfill their duties.
If you're a citizen no individual from the government is entitled to information about you. Any request for information should require a warrant. If an agency is asking Google what your searches are and they don't have a warrant they are not entitled to tat information.
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Re: Like BP?
there is a huge huge difference between what is going on with that oil spill and the government getting a warrantless tap on your phone because you bought ice cream from the guy driving the ice cream truck who later turned out to be crazy achmed the failed suicide bomber who got caught.
use your noodle a bit more.
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Big Government...
If you p*ss off the wrong person with connections/power in Government, they literally can kill a small business and severly wound a large one.
Think of the power of telling the CEO of XYZ company that he can plan on tax audits for the company and everyone in management? In addition, every permit or regulation that they currently have going in their favor are going to be re-examined. Add in Cap 'n Tax and they have another way to go after you.
Why any one would want to give our Government one ounce of more power is beyond me.
As an aside, the biggest form of control we give Government is with taxation. Take earned income, investment income, medicare and social security taxes off the table and replace them with a flat national sales tax and you not only simplify EVERY person and EVERY businesses tax compliance, but you remove a huge amount of power from the government over us. If there is one thing we can do to swing the tide of power back to the people of this nation is to abolish all taxes and replace them with a national one-time flat sales tax (on goods and services).
Freedom
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Ironman
Stark Industries had every right to say no and was in fact in the right by doing so. It just took a few lives and the descruction of the Stark Expo to proove it... stupid senators.
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Re: Ironman
(just being safe)
:D
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Give Govt info
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