A new report from Swiss privacy firm Proton reveals that Apple, Google, and Meta have increasingly shared user data with US authorities. The analysis shows that, over the past decade, these tech giants provided information for 3.1 million accounts—an increase of more than 600%.
The report highlights the rising demand from US government agencies for access to data, with law enforcement requests being made through subpoenas, court orders, and national security letters. While the companies are required to comply with these requests, Proton argues that stronger encryption could better protect user information from government surveillance.
How US Authorities Access User Data
US law enforcement agencies can request access to user data through legal channels. For instance, Meta often provides user information to aid in emergency situations such as child safety or suicide prevention. Google, on the other hand, notifies users before handing over data unless the request involves a life-threatening emergency.
The report also touches on the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act (CLOUD Act), a controversial law that allows US authorities to request data from tech companies, regardless of where the data is stored globally. This has sparked concerns in Europe, where many governments rely on US-based cloud services.
Rising Global Government Requests for Data
Global data requests are on the rise, with Google reporting a sharp increase in demands from governments worldwide. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of requests has nearly doubled. Countries like Germany have also ramped up their requests for user data, raising concerns about privacy in an increasingly surveilled world.
The Global Debate Over Privacy and Surveillance
As government demands for data continue to rise, privacy advocates urge tech companies to adopt stronger encryption methods to safeguard user data. European governments are also expressing concerns about the impact of US laws like the CLOUD Act on user privacy across the globe.
For more on how tech giants are handling user data requests and what this means for privacy rights, read on.