They say they try to get rid of it, but the data is often still there and still subpoena-able. As for them not allowing the government access to their logs, Google itself only claimed they were protecting company secrets, nothing about protecting the privacy of their users, however plenty of outside google advocates claimed they were protecting the privacy of their users. BTW what is your estimate of how many governments have agents working inside of google? Wouldn't that be a great place to stick a mole or 50?