How viewed videos can become evidence against you.
US investigators demanded that Google provide data on users who viewed certain videos on YouTube, Forbes reports, referring to the obtained court orders.
Human rights organizations have expressed the view that such orders violate the Constitution, as they can turn ordinary YouTube viewers into suspects of committing crimes.
In one of the cases reviewed by a Kentucky court, undercover police officers tried to identify a user under the pseudonym "elonmuskwhm", suspected of selling bitcoins for cash, which could violate money laundering laws and rules for illegal transfer of money. In early January, agents sent links to training videos on YouTube related to the use of drones and augmented reality software, and then requested data from Google about users who viewed these videos.
The court orders required Google to provide the names, addresses, phone numbers, and activity of all Google users who viewed the video between January 1 and January 8, 2023, as well as the IP addresses of users who do not own Google accounts. The police argued that such data may be relevant and relevant to the ongoing investigation of the crime.
Albert Fox-Kahn, executive director of the surveillance Technology Oversight Project, expressed concern: "No one should be afraid that the police will come to them simply because the YouTube algorithm suggested a video to them." Fox-Kahn also added that such warrants violate the Constitution and are worrisome because they turn search orders into digital networks for mass data collection.
In another case, police received reports of an explosive device allegedly placed in a trash can in a public place. After the police searched the area, it turned out that their actions were observed through a YouTube broadcast of a webcam belonging to a local company. The requirement for Google was to provide a list of accounts that viewed and / or interacted with 8 live broadcasts at certain time intervals.
A Google spokesperson said that the company thoroughly checks all law enforcement requirements for legal validity, actively protecting the privacy and constitutional rights of users, while supporting the important work of law enforcement agencies in solving crimes.
US investigators demanded that Google provide data on users who viewed certain videos on YouTube, Forbes reports, referring to the obtained court orders.
Human rights organizations have expressed the view that such orders violate the Constitution, as they can turn ordinary YouTube viewers into suspects of committing crimes.
In one of the cases reviewed by a Kentucky court, undercover police officers tried to identify a user under the pseudonym "elonmuskwhm", suspected of selling bitcoins for cash, which could violate money laundering laws and rules for illegal transfer of money. In early January, agents sent links to training videos on YouTube related to the use of drones and augmented reality software, and then requested data from Google about users who viewed these videos.
The court orders required Google to provide the names, addresses, phone numbers, and activity of all Google users who viewed the video between January 1 and January 8, 2023, as well as the IP addresses of users who do not own Google accounts. The police argued that such data may be relevant and relevant to the ongoing investigation of the crime.
Albert Fox-Kahn, executive director of the surveillance Technology Oversight Project, expressed concern: "No one should be afraid that the police will come to them simply because the YouTube algorithm suggested a video to them." Fox-Kahn also added that such warrants violate the Constitution and are worrisome because they turn search orders into digital networks for mass data collection.
In another case, police received reports of an explosive device allegedly placed in a trash can in a public place. After the police searched the area, it turned out that their actions were observed through a YouTube broadcast of a webcam belonging to a local company. The requirement for Google was to provide a list of accounts that viewed and / or interacted with 8 live broadcasts at certain time intervals.
A Google spokesperson said that the company thoroughly checks all law enforcement requirements for legal validity, actively protecting the privacy and constitutional rights of users, while supporting the important work of law enforcement agencies in solving crimes.
