Posted on 03/31/2024 9:30:24 AM PDT by Twotone
Federal authorities in the US asked Google for the names, addresses, telephone numbers and user activity of the accounts that watched certain YouTube videos between January 1 and 8, 2023, according to unsealed court documents viewed by Forbes. People who watched those videos while they weren't logged into an account weren't safe either, because the government also asked for their IP addresses. The investigators reportedly ordered Google to hand over the information as part of an investigation into someone who uses the name "elonmuskwhm" online.
Authorities suspect that elonmuskwhm is selling bitcoin for cash and is, thus, breaking money laundering laws, as well as running an unlicensed money transmitting business. Undercover agents reportedly sent the suspect links to videos of YouTube tutorials for mapping via drones and augmented reality software in their conversations back in early January. Those videos, however, weren't private and had been collectively viewed by over 30,000 times, which means the government was potentially asking Google for private information on quite a large number of users. "There is reason to believe that these records would be relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation, including by providing identification information about the perpetrators," authorities reportedly told the company.
Based on the documents Forbes had seen, the court granted the order but had asked Google to keep it under wraps. It's also unclear if Google handed over the data the authorities were asking for. In another incident, authorities asked the company for a list of accounts that "viewed and/or interacted" with eight YouTube livestreams. Cops requested for that information after learning that they were being watched through a stream while they were searching an area following a report that an explosive was placed inside a trashcan. One of those video livestreams was posted by the Boston and Maine Live account, which has over 130,000 subscribers.
A Google spokesperson told Forbes that the company follows a "rigorous process" to protect the privacy of its users. But critics and privacy advocates are still concerned that government agencies are overstepping and are using their power to obtain sensitive information on people who just happened to watch specific YouTube videos and aren't in any way doing anything illegal.
"What we watch online can reveal deeply sensitive information about us—our politics, our passions, our religious beliefs, and much more," John Davisson, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, told Forbes. "It's fair to expect that law enforcement won't have access to that information without probable cause. This order turns that assumption on its head."
A Google spokesperson told Forbes that the company follows a “rigorous process” to protect the privacy of its users...”
They usually say no once, then break under pressure of asked again! How much more privacy protection does anyone need?
Oh sure, like the cIA’s main data collection site has to order itself to do anything.
Veggie Pedo Pete had three fake email accounts for bribe transfers. Maybe the ‘federal authorities’ could take a peek into that. Sure would be helpful.
There’s no privacy on YouTube. At the beginning of this covid stuff I subscribed to a medical lectures channel. And to my surprise a week later the doctor who runs the channel sent a text message to my personal phone number inviting me to a medical seminar he was holding on Thursday at 6 pm. I’ve never given YouTube or Google my phone number and it kind of freaked me out that not only did they have it but that they were giving it out to the content creators I subscribed to. So be aware.
.
Well I will help them out.
I saw that add (beautifully produced using AI) when “Star Ship 3” Launched this month.
Are we sure that date given in the story is correct? 2023 instead of 2024?
Well I will help them out.
I saw that add (beautifully produced using AI) when “Star Ship 3” Launched this month.
If they get after cat videos I’m in trouble
Welcome to 1984.😝
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.