Facebook Has Received More Than 25,000 Government Data Requests
Facebook today released its first Global Government Requests Report, which shows
more than 25,000 government data requests in the first half of 2013, with the largest number from the United States.
The report covers the first 6 months of 2013, ending June 30.
The report said at least some data was released in 79 percent of US data requests.
The second largest number came from India, where 3,245 requests were made, affecting 4,144 users, Facebook said. The company provided at least some data in 50 percent of those cases.
Facebook said that in the United States, it requires "a valid subpoena," court order or search warrant in order to turn over data.
In other countries, Facebook said, "We disclose account records solely in accordance with our terms of service and applicable law."
Facebook said the third-largest number of requests came in Britain (1,975) followed by Germany (1,886), Italy (1,705) and France (1,547). The "transparency report" showed Facebook received between 11,000 and 12,000 requests for data in the United States, affecting between 20,000 and 21,000 users. It also received more than 14,800 requests from 70 other countries for various government investigations.
The report comes with US tech companies under pressure following revelations of a secret program which scoops up vast amounts of data from Internet firms.
Facebook's report follows the release of similar information from Google, Microsoft and Twitter.
The report said at least some data was released in 79 percent of US data requests.
The second largest number came from India, where 3,245 requests were made, affecting 4,144 users, Facebook said. The company provided at least some data in 50 percent of those cases.
Facebook said that in the United States, it requires "a valid subpoena," court order or search warrant in order to turn over data.
In other countries, Facebook said, "We disclose account records solely in accordance with our terms of service and applicable law."
Facebook said the third-largest number of requests came in Britain (1,975) followed by Germany (1,886), Italy (1,705) and France (1,547). The "transparency report" showed Facebook received between 11,000 and 12,000 requests for data in the United States, affecting between 20,000 and 21,000 users. It also received more than 14,800 requests from 70 other countries for various government investigations.
The report comes with US tech companies under pressure following revelations of a secret program which scoops up vast amounts of data from Internet firms.
Facebook's report follows the release of similar information from Google, Microsoft and Twitter.
