[atomicpossum]

The government contends it needs the data to determine how often pornography shows up in online searches

1) It doesn't sound to me like they're looking for identities, just a tally number of pertinent searches, and

2) I'm not sure I can see how knowing a number is pertinent to the process involved in crafting the legislation.

[mugs99]

1) It doesn't sound to me like they're looking for identities, just a tally number of pertinent searches,

Define pertinent searches. We already know from the drug and tobacco wars that the government spins and falsifies data for propaganda purposes. Google doesn't want the camel sticking his nose under their tent.

2) I'm not sure I can see how knowing a number is pertinent to the process involved in crafting the legislation

They want a high number to justify the need for the legislation.
.

[R. Scott]

2) I'm not sure I can see how knowing a number is pertinent to the process involved in crafting the legislation.

If the Feds want to know if there is a lot of porn on the net, all they have to do is Google any keyword that might lead them to it – and check the number of sites that come up.