Clegg visits Google to discuss privacy
Thursday, 12 March 2009 12:00 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will visit Google today to discuss issues around privacy and cyber-bullying.
The visit comes as support grows in parliament for a Lib Dem early day motion (EDM) raising concerns about the privacy implications of Google's new Latitiude software, which allows users to track the location of friends and family through their mobile phone.
But the party leader is also concerned about the rise in cyber-bullying through sites like Facebook and MySpace, as well as text messages and emails.
"The internet offers cutting edge services - but sometimes they can cut both ways, hurting the vulnerable as well as benefiting others," Mr Clegg said.
"Bullied children could previously go home to escape their tormenters, but the internet now means that bullies follow their victims inside the family home."
At a meeting with senior executives, Mr Clegg will raise his concerns over the subject and discuss various issues relating to the company's activities and public policy.
One 12-15 year old is being cyber-bullied every minute according to statistics, and 34 per cent of the age group admits to having been cyber-bullied.
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