Google could shut down Gmail in Germany

Click here to read the full story >> Google could shut down Gmail in Germany if the German government maintain its position in regards to a newly passed law on record-keeping and supervision of internet traffic. The law in question is the German version of the EU data-retention rules. If it is passed by the government, it would require all telecommunications companies to collect and keep private information on their German customers starting in 2008.

According to google many users around the globe make use of this anonymity to defend themselves from spam, or government repression of free speech. With Gmail not available, Germans would move to other international email service providers or use an proxy to access Gmail.