Google has announced a new feature in version 3 of its popular desktop search tool that allows users to search across multiple desktops. The description from Google:

"Search Across Computers enables you to search your documents and viewed web pages across all your computers. For example, you could find files you edited on your desktop from your laptop. To activate this feature, you will need a Google Account (the same login you use for Gmail, Orkut, or other Google services). Remember, to search your other computers you must also install Google Desktop on them as well as enable the Search Across Computers preference using the same Google Account on each one."

Privacy watchdogs, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, see immediate privacy implications, mostly due to what they consider the weakened state of the Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986. Others, such as Search Engine Watch's Chris Sherman, rebut that notion, saying that the privacy implications do exist but are not as dire as suggested.  In an article from the Associated Press,  Google's vice president of search products and user experience Marissa Mayer is quoted as saying  "We think this will be a very useful tool, but you will have to give up some of your privacy...For many of us, that trade off will make a lot of sense." Lawyers would be unwise to risk exposing confidential client information and should not consider this function of the Google Desktop Search an option. Gartner analyst Whit Andrews wisely suggests that enterprise installations disable this functionality immediately. He also advises:

• Enterprises that are not using Google Desktop for Enterprise but are allowing employees to use Google's desktop search application should start using the enterprise edition immediately and restrict its use accordingly.
• Enterprises that have not selected a desktop search strategy should provide a companywide default selection, including support and management, for willing workers.
• Enterprises seeking a desktop search application that have not yet selected a vendor should select one as soon as possible and move employees to the supported vendor’s application. 
  
  

Law firms who allow individual users on the network to download applications with privacy implications are putting the firm and the firm's clients at risk.