Google Products Lacked Key Government Certification, DOJ Says

Google's Internet-based software applications for government customers don't have a key security certification, contrary to the company’s claims in a lawsuit over a multimillion-dollar contract, the Department of Justice said in a December 2010 legal filing.

In a filing unsealed April 8, the Justice Department said it “appears” that Google Apps for Government software doesn't have Federal Information Security Management Act certification, “notwithstanding Google’s representations to the public at large, its counsel, the GAO (Government Accountability Office) and this court.” A different version of Google Apps received the certification last year, the Justice Department wrote. Google sued the Interior Department in October, arguing that a planned $49.3 million contract to provide e-mail and online-collaboration services lacked sufficient competition and gave favorable treatment to Microsoft, which was set to be awarded the contract. The Justice Department comments were part of a government filing seeking a judgment in favor of the U.S. and dismissal of Google’s complaint.