After the revelation by Edward Snowden--a computer professional who formerly worked for the United States Central Intelligence Agency--of global surveillance programs by United States' government agencies, technology users everywhere were made aware that they might not have the privacy they once thought they had. According to the survey data I collected from my peers, users were most concerned with their privacy from the government (35% of respondents said they were most concerned with the government collecting their data). Furthermore, according to the Pew Research Institute, 5% of Internet users were trying to avoid the government from having their personal information (Smith). Quite clearly, the issue of privacy in regards to the government is a prevalent issue for Internet users, and it is safe to say this issue applies to Facebook as well. This analysis will look into privacy on Facebook as it relates to government.
In December of 2016, Facebook released a report detailing the requests for data it received from governments around the world. According to Facebook's Deputy General Counsel Chris Sonderby, the amount of requests it received from governments increased by 27% in comparison to the last half of 2015, receiving 59,229 in 2016 and 46,710 in 2015. Most of these 2016 requests (56%) from United States law enforcement agencies came accompanied by non-disclosure agreements, meaning Facebook was legally prohibited from releasing the reasoning behind the information and data requests.
Furthermore, according to the same report, the number of content-based requests--that is, those that law enforcement agencies requested be removed due to law violations--decreased from 55,827 to 9,663 (83%). Facebook revealed that this immense decrease (which might be viewed as concerning due to the notion of government censorship) came because governments in 2015 overwhelmingly requested Facebook remove one specific offensive image following the Paris terrorist attacks.
Furthermore, according to the same report, the number of content-based requests--that is, those that law enforcement agencies requested be removed due to law violations--decreased from 55,827 to 9,663 (83%). Facebook revealed that this immense decrease (which might be viewed as concerning due to the notion of government censorship) came because governments in 2015 overwhelmingly requested Facebook remove one specific offensive image following the Paris terrorist attacks.
The Facebook report also revealed data about "preservation requests," which involve government agencies requesting Facebook to preserve specific user data (which might be used in legal suits, etc.). Nearly 39,000 requests were made for around 67,000 user accounts. Facebook really tries to make clear the fact that they refuse to release the data to these requests unless the proper legal channels are followed in the report--it is clear that the social media giant is conscious of user fears that the government is collecting personal data.
Another issue the report discusses (albeit being quite rare, according to the data) is data release when it comes to issues that might put individuals at risk of harm or death. Facebook asserts that law enforcement agencies are able to make requests by describing the emergency and need for data, and if General Counsel determines that the data release is necessary to prevent injury/death, the information can be released. (3,016 requests relating to 4,192 user accounts were recorded in 2016, according to the report).
Another issue the report discusses (albeit being quite rare, according to the data) is data release when it comes to issues that might put individuals at risk of harm or death. Facebook asserts that law enforcement agencies are able to make requests by describing the emergency and need for data, and if General Counsel determines that the data release is necessary to prevent injury/death, the information can be released. (3,016 requests relating to 4,192 user accounts were recorded in 2016, according to the report).
As revealed in this report, it is evident that Facebook is extremely concerned with being as transparent as possible with its users. It seems that they are attempting to reveal as much data about governmental requests for data as legally possible. In my opinion, this is a very promising fact. Facebook has access to an abundance of personal information and data of its users; in theory, this means that global governments could get their hands on said data. However, if the information in these transparency reports is taken to be true, Facebook does all it possibly can to prevent governments from taking user data illegally. It would seem that General Counsel is consulted extensively before any data is released, and there are stringent policies put in place to ensure everything is done through proper legal channels. So, to those respondents to my own survey (as well as those users who fear that the government is taking their personal data), it would seem that Facebook is looking out for our best interests when it comes to data collection.
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Sources:
"Global Government Requests Report." Facebook Newsroom. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
Dellinger, AJ. "Facebook Privacy: Government Requests For User Information Increases 27 Percent in 2016." International Business Times. N.p., 21 Dec. 2016. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
Sources:
"Global Government Requests Report." Facebook Newsroom. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
Dellinger, AJ. "Facebook Privacy: Government Requests For User Information Increases 27 Percent in 2016." International Business Times. N.p., 21 Dec. 2016. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.