Andre Hartslief
Surely not! Well actually, yes, they do! And yes Google will! If you were concerned about whether a third party is reading your voice recording, text or email about the intimate details of last night’s fling or if he actually “french kissed you or not, the NSA might be reading your search content, but your local police department is probably not. Although, if they had reason to do so, they could ask Google for your search data. … Government agencies can legally also subpoena your private data from Google, and they do not require a judge’s approval. They cannot, however, subpoena the actual content of your Google searches or emails.
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Were you aware of this fact?
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Yes
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I was unaware of this.
By definition, a subpoena is issued by a judge, so in fact, that would have to be approved by a judge.
Carol pointed out that Google is becoming big brother. I think however what we need to consider is the reality of the law of large numbers.
Yes it is possible to subpoena your search history. It is however much more likely that they would subpoena your computer and your phone. More data there showing malfeasance.
Hello Doc, firstly, thank you for your detailed response, and let me assure you, that as an ex-cop, I was well aware of the traditional understanding, that only a Judge can issue a subpoena, having, in my brief stint as a detective, I have visited both Magistrates and even the occasional judge in his/her chambers and once at his residence. There are several reasons for this, ie. a flight risk, etc. Here is the source of my research: “A subpoena can be issued by someone other than a judge, such as a court clerk or an attorney in a case, which is different from a court order. A HIPAA-covered provider or plan may disclose information to a party issuing a subpoena only if the notification requirements of the Privacy Rule are met.” https://bit.ly/34lNXlO
but in all cases, it requires a court officer to approve!
Google, Apple, Microsoft, AWS and so on are very careful about complying.
Thank you, Doc, but that was not your opening statement!
because if an officer of the court approves it, the judge has to later sign it, and can revoke it at that time of signature.
goes back to the original, a judge has to approve.
Even in the case of the NSA in the US, a judge still signs that order.
i have personally worked on teams that had access to information at a couple of very significant IP vendors.
At no time were we allowed to reveal information about what the customer had or didn’t have to anyone without a subpoena. Even then, there were two instances where we appealed the subpoena to a higher court.
Yes, i’m very sure it does. Nothing is private when it comes to the online world.
With more technology comes less privacy.
Google = Big Brother. They are always watching and reporting.