For the first time, search engine giant Google has released information regarding the number of censorship requests it received from countries worldwide. Google said Australia is at the tenth placing among the countries that have requested them to censor information.

Brazil takes the top of the list, followed by Germany, United States and India.

According to ABC News, Google said the public circulation of the information is the initial step towards increased transparency and would give an insight into the actions of the government and web freedom.

Australia has requested 17 data removal and 155 user information requests.

Geordie Guy from Electronic Frontiers Australia said the figure is smaller than their expectation.

The United States and Brazil made the most user data requests, while Brazil and Germany were at the top of the list for online material removal.

Google's data revealed the consistency of countries that have requested for personal information and to remove contents from its servers. The requestes were made between June and December 2009, it said.

The widespread use of Google's social networking site could be one probable reason for Brazil to top the list.

The list has been welcomed by the Privacy Commissioner of Australia, Karen Kurtis.

While the requests are totally legal, it is important for everyone to understand that those requests were made by law enforcement agencies and also for child pornography removal too.