Big Tech and User Data Requests

Big tech companies, including Apple, Google, and Meta, have reportedly handed over millions of user data to the US government, according to a study.

According to Proton, a Swiss privacy firm, government-backed requests for users’ data have been on the rise, forcing big tech firms to comply with US authorities by sharing their users’ personal data. This trend is also apparent in Europe, where governments have made similar requests.

Increase in Government Requests for User Data

An analysis by Proton examined public data from the transparency reports of three major firms regarding the number of user accounts shared with US authorities from 2014 to 2024.
According to Proton, big tech companies have increased shared accounts with law enforcement by over 600%, totaling 3.1 million over the past decade.

A Euronews report indicates that the Swiss firm’s findings show a growing appetite from the US government to utilize Big Tech’s extensive data reserves. However, Proton does not criticize big tech firms’ policies, as they are required to comply with law enforcement needs.
Despite this, the firm suggests that investment in encryption could help safeguard information from government intrusion.

Nevertheless, companies may have limited options; law enforcement can access data via subpoenas, court orders, or search warrants. A valid search warrant with probable cause allows access to user messages, photos, videos, posts, and location information.
Additionally, the US government can issue a national security letter under the Foreign Intelligence Act, compelling firms like Google to release user data and content from services like Google Drive, Gmail, and Photos.

Requests for user data are not exclusive to the US; other governments, including Germany, France, and Turkey, have also made requests at varying levels of intensity.

A Google transparency report indicates a general uptick in government requests for user information. By mid-2024, world governments had submitted over 235,000 requests concerning half a million accounts, up from 100,000 requests for 235,000 accounts in early 2020. Notably, German government requests rose from over 12,600 in January 2020 to 41,000 mid-2024.

Big Tech’s Perspective on Requests

Meta states that it sometimes shares information with law enforcement to aid in emergencies, such as immediate risk of harm or missing children recovery. Each request to Meta is “carefully reviewed for legal sufficiency,” allowing the company to reject vague requests.

Similarly, Google sends an email to law enforcement before disclosing information on specific users, changing procedure only in emergencies, like child safety threats. Google assesses foreign requests on a case-by-case basis in accordance with US law, company policy, and international norms.