News Summary: Google tries to loosen PRISM muzzle

News Summary: Google asks for freedom to disclose more data about government's online spying

GOOGLING THE GOVERNMENT: Google is urging the U.S. Justice Department to loosen restrictions preventing the company from disclosing more information about the number of secret government demands for people's emails and other personal information transmitted online.

THE MOTIVE: The request submitted Tuesday in letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and FBI Director Robert Mueller is part of Google Inc.'s effort to defuse media reports linking the company to a surveillance program code-named "PRISM."

THE BACKGROUND: Google insists it didn't know about PRISM's existence until confidential document were leaked to newspapers last week. The company thinks additional disclosures will prove its limited involvement in PRISM.