One of Google's founders has said that the company's search data can help predict pandemics - assuming it does not have to delete the information after six months.
Google can do a better job of tracking potential pandemics than governments, according to co-founder Larry Page.
Mr Page was speaking to journalists at a Google event in the UK. He suggested that analysis of Google's search data allows trends in outbreaks - such as the recent swine flu virus - to be mapped.
On its Flu Trends website, the company states: "It turns out that traditional flu surveillance systems can take time to collect and release surveillance data, but Google search queries can be automatically counted very quickly. By making our flu estimates available each day, Google Flu Trends may provide an early-warning system for outbreaks of influenza."
However, the European Commission has asked the internet giant to delete user data after six months - which Google claims will hinder its ability to track disease in the future. Mr Page called for more dialogue between his firm and regulators.
The subject of how long Google should be allowed to keep user data has been a matter of contention for some time. In September last year the firm said it would make any information anonymous after nine months, but Europe has been pushing for data to be destroyed after six months.
