Google Transparency Report: India second to US in requesting user data

Google said in its Transparency Report that since it began sharing user information in 2010, requests from governments have increased by more than 100 percent.

“This comes as usage of our services continues to grow, but also as more governments have made requests than ever before. And these numbers only include the requests we’re allowed to publish”, Richard Salgado, Legal Director, Law Enforcement and Information Security wrote in a official blog.

According to the Google Transparency Report, India ranks second after the US in requesting user data. While US had 10,918 requests of which 83 per cent were procured, the Indian government had a total of 2,691 requests of which 64 per cent were procured.

Next come Germany, France and UK with 2311, 2011 and 1,274 requests respectively.

Google said it is including additional information about legal process for U.S. criminal requests: breaking out emergency disclosures, wiretap orders, pen register orders and other court orders.

“We believe it’s your right to know what kinds of requests and how many each government is making of us and other companies. However, the U.S. Department of Justice contends that U.S. law does not allow us to share information about some national security requests that we might receive. Specifically, the U.S. government argues that we cannot share information about the requests we receive (if any) under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. But you deserve to know” Richard Salgado said.