Google is a huge multinational, operating on the internet, which is (at least historically) devoid of specific jurisdictions. They could, at the expense of profits, sidestep this issue - but they don't.

Unfortunately the US is trying to deny that, with less and less success, but that's where we're at today.

I just think it's shitty of them to make such a noise about non-US state-sponsored surveillance, but remain relatively silent on the thousands and thousands unconstitutional USA PATRIOT wiretaps they get every single month.

How could Google sidestep compliance with US laws? They are incorporated in the US, are they not?

I imagine in ways analogous to how they avoid paying US taxes, even though they are incorporated in the US.

That wouldn't work. Their tax avoidance strategies are legal with respect to US law. If they operated in the US without honoring DMCA requests, Patriot Act etc, they'd quickly be sued or arrested by the US govt.

Anyone know what the situation is with Google in the rest of the world? I know they have offices in various locations around Europe for example, and they have to comply with the recent EU "Cookie Laws"... which laws apply then?

(I can't recall if the ToS refer to US or EU)