Google agrees to reforms to prevent search engine data loss

On Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department said an agreement with Alphabet Inc to resolve a dispute with the search engine giant over data loss in response to a 2016 search warrant has been reached, Reuters reported.

The government said it was the first such decision and it would result in a reform of Google's compliance program. This would help to ensure timely responses to legal processes such as subpoenas and search warrants.

According to Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite, the agreement demonstrated the department's determination to provide timely responses to legal processes to ensure the public safety of bringing offenders to justice.

Google has stated that it has a long history of protecting the privacy of its users, including pushing back against overbroad government demands for user data. This agreement does not change the company's ability or obligation to continue to project its users’ private information.