Following in the example of Google, Twitter is also releasing a semi-annual Transparency Report disclosing the number and type of user information requests it receives from various governments, and the percentage of the requests to which Twitter responded positively. In its most recent report, covering July through December 2011, Twitter stated that it had received 1,009 information requests, 42 content removal requests, and 3,268 takedown and related notices regarding alleged copyright infringement on the service. The former two numbers were up substantially from the preceding six month period; the copyright notices declined slightly (from 3,378 to 3,268) in that time.
Twitter additionally broke down the data by country, and specifically focused on its home country, the United States. According to Twitter, requests from governmental bodies within the United States from July through December 2012 included the following:
| User Information Requests | Percentage where some or all information produced | User / Accounts Specified | Subpoenas | Court Orders | Search Warrants | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 815 | 69% | 1145 | 60% | 11% | 19% | 10% |
As with that of Google, Twitter's transparency report is a useful reminder both of the attractiveness of social media services to governmental information gathering, as well as the overall privacy issues arising out of social media use. Law enforcement and other government officials understand how much information people share on social media services; it's crucial for users to understand this as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment