Facebook releases global governments’ request for private data and content restrictions
In its Global Government Requests Report published on Wednesday, Facebook announced that government requests for users’ private data have increased in leaps and bounds in the first half of 2015.
The report reveals data on the number of contents that have been restricted by the government for violating local laws around the world where Facebook is allowed. It also contains information about the national security requests made by the U.S. authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and through National Security Letters.
Facebook reported an increase of 112 percent of content restriction for violating local laws. Since the second half of 2014, the numbers of pieces restricted jumped to 20,568 from 9,707 and global government requests for accessing users’ data increased by 18 percent over the period. The number of requests is recorded at 41,214 from 35,051.
From Australia, since the beginning of 2015, the government has made as many as 693 requests for content restrictions and 744 users’ accounts. However, only one content was restricted access in compliance with Australia’s federal anti-discrimination laws.
From the United States of America, total requests of 17,577 were made for contents and requests for accounts’ access were as high as 26,579.
From India over the same period, users’ account requests crossed requests for account restrictions. While total requests remained 5,115, as many as 6,268 accounts requested were made.
Facebook report showed that it restricted more than 15,000 pieces of content on the request law enforcement agencies and the India Computer Emergency Response Team within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Primarily, most of the contents were anti-religious that have the potentiality to create unrest and disharmony within India.
Russia also had negligible requests but nearly 28 contents were restricted on the request of the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media for violating the integrity of the Russian Federation and local law.
In the report, Facebook mentioned that there has been no accessing of private data through “back doors.” The company said that all data requests are thoroughly scrutinised, irrespective of where the requests come from as it prioritises to protect citizens’ safety and security and respect their rights and freedom.
For details of each and every country, click here.
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