I've just stumbled across this little gem from John Batelle's blog. The EU is, quite rightly, worried about Google's data retention policies, and advisers to the regulators have been murmuring that Google 'might' be doing something a bit naughty. The company has received a letter asking for an explanation of its policies. Aside from the fact that plenty of other companies are doing - or thinking of doing - a similar thing, it's an interesting development. Not one to have Google reaching for the parachutes just yet, you understand.

However, Batelle points to an opinion piece in the FT as a partial response from Google. Now, if this is the main thrust of Google's line, it may be time to get out the marshmallows on sticks, and work out where you put the sparklers after last year's fireworks night.

Essentially, Google's argument boils down to this: We need the data to give a good service, people can use the service pretty anonymously, and it's early days yet, so, like, bear with us, alright? We're busy doing some really cool stuff here at the Googleplex.

Just like the argument that says that installing more surveillance cameras improves our quality of life, this op-ed neatly sidesteps the central question: Is what Google is doing right?