Google: Obama Advisor Chats Through the Back Door

One of President Obama’s top technology advisors, deputy CTO Andrew McLaughlin, a former head of public policy at Google (GOOG), exchanged emails with the search giant regarding government business, the Washington Post reports this morning, citing internal White House emails and a statement by an Office of Science and Technology Policy spokesperson.

McLaughlin wouldn’t comment to the Post and the spokesperson said his email exchanges with Google had no effect on U.S. policy, but a review of email released yesterday by the White House showed McLaughlin discussed with Googlers how to combat digital piracy, organize relief efforts for Haiti, and promote “Net Neutrality,” which Google strongly favors but which is opposed by other corners of the tech world, such as broadband providers.

In particular, Post writer Todd Shields highlights one email exchange McLaughlin had with Google veep Vint Cerf regarding net neutrality:

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Previously on Digital Daily: Google Buzz Exposes White House Deputy CTO (And Ex-Googler)