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Google’s security and privacy are placed under question as a US electronic privacy group called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Google’s Web-based products like e-mail and photo services.

In the complaint filed to FTC, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) said that “recent reports indicate that Google does not adequately safeguard the confidential information it obtains.”

EPIC is petitioning for the FTC to probe Google’s Cloud Computing Services to determine the adequacy of the privacy and security safeguards. FTC is the agency responsible for consumer protection issues.

Google, like other internet firms, are enticing people (internet users) to rely on their applications which they offer online as services “in the cloud” instead of buying software which they need to install and maintain on their own computers.

Google’s “cloud” computing services include the Gmail, the internet search giant’s e-mail program; Picasa, a online software application for digital photos; Google Docs, it’s online word processing and spreadsheet service; and Google Calendar.

EPIC referred to the incident with Google Docs this month wherein the Internet giant acknowledged that the privacy of some digital documents were compromised. Jennifer Mazzon, Google Docs product manager, said at the time that a “very small percentage of users shared some of their documents inadvertently” because of an unspecified “bug.”

In the complaint filed last Tuesday, EPIC wanted the FTC to determine whether Google has engaged in unfair and/or deceptive trade practices.”  It said the FTC should enjoin the company from offering their services until their safeguards are verifiably established.

EPIC stressed that such action is necessary for the commission to ensure the safety and security of information submitted by American consumers, American businesses and American federal agencies. Google has not yet submitted a reply or comment on the complaint filed by EPIC