The Government Is Begging Tech Companies For Your Data

All over the globe, governments are asking social media companies to share their information.

TechRobot reported earlier this year on the various ways that big government obtains your personal data from Apple, Facebook, or Twitter.

“Across the Q1 2020 Transparency Reports from Apple, Facebook and Twitter which Tech Robot analysed as part of the study, there were almost 70,000 requests for data from the US government. This is alarmingly 21% more than what was requested in the same time period in 2019

According to a study of the 10 largest governments that require the most information, the US received the greatest amount of access from tech companies. Apple, Facebook, and Twitter granted 76% of the requests. This means that more than 50,000 pieces information were given to the US government. The number of requests that were granted in 2019 hasn’t changed significantly from last year. In 2019, there were just 5% fewer granted requests by Apple, Facebook and Twitter.”

The sharing of user data is alarmingly accomplished without user consent…or a warrant. July reports from NewsBusters highlighted the way Amazon and Google share your data with law enforcement during an “emergency.”

Sen. Ed Markey (D. MA), asked Amazon for a commitment to stop using voice recognition technology on its devices. Amazon declined.

“Increasing law enforcement reliance on private surveillance creates a crisis of accountability, and I am particularly concerned that biometric surveillance could become central to the growing web of surveillance systems that Amazon and other powerful tech companies are responsible for,” Markey wrote in a statement.

Meanwhile, Google’s policy would provide police with a user’s Nest video footage without a warrant in “emergency” situations. The company’s Terms of Service (TOS) explain the process, although it claims it has never done so.

The TOS page says that “if we believe we can save someone’s life or prevent them from suffering severe physical harm,” they may give information to government agencies. This could be in cases such as bomb threats, school shootings and kidnappings. We still take into consideration these requests, given the applicable laws and our policies.

Conservatives under attack Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on “hate speech” and equal footing for conservatives. We can help you if your information has been cut off.Contact formHelp us to hold Big Tech responsible.