If the feds come knocking on Google’s door asking for your data, what does Google do? It tries to strike a balance between protecting you and obeying the law. Here’s how it works, according to Google’s legal team:
First Google makes sure the request for your info is actually legal.
The company then analyzes how broad the request is. Asking for too much? Google will either outright refuse it, or ask that the agency making the inquiry narrow it.
Google lets you know that someone is after your data, so you can seek legal counsel.
Google requires a search warrant.
And finally, Google has made information available online about how it handles these requests, in the name of transparency.
It’s safe to assume that not every case is this cookie-cutter, but it’s comforting to know that Google doesn’t just sell you down the river. [Google Blog]
Image credit: Shutterstock/Tischenko Irina
