Ever since the news of the Google Barge – or rather the Google Barges, as there are at least two of them, and some reports say that there are as many as four – broke a short while ago, people have been speculating as to what the Google Barges are for. Are they to be floating data centers? Storage? High flying (or rather floating) entertainment centers?
Google just moments ago, however, explained their purpose
In a statement, Google teased “Google Barge … A floating data center? A wild party boat? A barge housing the last remaining dinosaur? Sadly, none of the above.”
Google then went on to explain that “Although it’s still early days and things may change, we’re exploring using the barge as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology.
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But that wiggle room … “things may change”, is enough to provide fodder for the rumours.
While none of the speculation or other articles have mentioned it, we find one aspect of the Google Barges very interesting to contemplate: the legal ramifications of a sea-faring Google property.
Especially with recent events such as the NSA getting their fingers into, among others’, Google’s pie with the PRISM program, the idea that Google might be able to make it a bit more difficult for the government to demand access to data that is, arguably, HQed in international waters, and subject to maritime law, and a bit more difficult for the Feds to reach, is intriguing at the very least.
Even if this isn’t the short-term plan for the Google Barges, you have to know that it was at least a passing thought.
How could it not be?
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