Government Requests for User Data
Government Requests for User Data
Case studies
Meta responds to government requests for data in accordance with applicable law and our terms of service. Each and every request we receive is carefully reviewed for legal sufficiency and we may reject or require greater specificity on requests that appear overly broad or vague. Our policy is to produce only the information that is narrowly tailored to respond to each request. The case studies below represent a sample of government requests where we produced some data.
Emergency Request on Potential Terrorist Attack • Facebook • June 2022 • Columbia 🇨🇴
Emergency Request on Potential Terrorist Attack • Facebook • June 2022 • Columbia 🇨🇴
Request
We received an emergency disclosure request from Colombian law enforcement for data related to an individual suspected of planning a terrorist attack.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after assessing whether the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death and whether disclosure would be consistent with our policies. Following our response, law enforcement reported that they were able to prevent the attack.
Emergency Disclosure Request on Alleged Fugitive • WhatsApp • May 2022 • Germany 🇩🇪
Emergency Disclosure Request on Alleged Fugitive • WhatsApp • May 2022 • Germany 🇩🇪
Request
We received an emergency disclosure request from German law enforcement for data on an individual who is allegedly a fugitive that committed a serious violent crime and was believed to be en route to commit further violent crimes.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after determining the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death and that disclosure was consistent with our policies. Law enforcement reported our response helped locate and apprehend the suspect.
Legal Process Request on Alleged Terrorist • Facebook • April 2022 • Morocco 🇲🇦
Legal Process Request on Alleged Terrorist • Facebook • April 2022 • Morocco 🇲🇦
Request
We received a legal process request from Moroccan law enforcement for data on an account that had allegedly contained terrorist propaganda in support of the Islamic State.
Result
We reviewed the request and produced data after assessing whether the request was legally valid and whether disclosure would be consistent with our policies. Law enforcement later reported that they identified the owner of the account.
Emergency Disclosure Request on Missing Minor • Facebook • March 2022 • Philippines 🇵ðŸ‡
Emergency Disclosure Request on Missing Minor • Facebook • March 2022 • Philippines 🇵ðŸ‡
Request
We received an emergency disclosure request from Philippine law enforcement for data on a minor who was a suspected human trafficking victim.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after determining the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death and that disclosure was consistent with our policies. Law enforcement reported our response helped locate and safeguard the minor.
Legal Process Request for Alleged Homicide Suspect • Facebook • March 2022 • Thailand 🇹ðŸ‡
Legal Process Request for Alleged Homicide Suspect • Facebook • March 2022 • Thailand 🇹ðŸ‡
Request
We received a legal process request from Thailand law enforcement for data related to suspects who allegedly fatally shot a police officer.
Result
We reviewed the request and produced data after assessing whether the request was legally valid and whether disclosure would be consistent with our policies. Law enforcement reported that they captured the suspects.
Legal Process Request on Alleged Terrorist Activity • Instagram • January 2022 • Indonesia 🇮🇩
Legal Process Request on Alleged Terrorist Activity • Instagram • January 2022 • Indonesia 🇮🇩
Request
We received a legal process request from Indonesian law enforcement for data on individuals who allegedly engaged in terrorism-related activities, including creating and disseminating jihadist propaganda, terrorist financing, and planning terrorist attacks.
Result
We reviewed the request and produced data after assessing whether the request was legally valid and whether disclosure would be consistent with our policies. Following our response, law enforcement reported that they apprehended the suspects.
Legal Process Request on Alleged Shooter on the Run • Instagram • December 2021 • Germany 🇩🇪
Legal Process Request on Alleged Shooter on the Run • Instagram • December 2021 • Germany 🇩🇪
Request
We received a legal process request from German law enforcement for data related to a fugitive who allegedly seriously injured two people during an altercation.
Result
We reviewed the request and produced data after assessing whether the request was legally valid and whether disclosure would be consistent with our policies. Law enforcement later reported that they located the suspect.
Emergency Request on Kidnapped Person • WhatsApp • November 2021 • United States 🇺🇸
Emergency Request on Kidnapped Person • WhatsApp • November 2021 • United States 🇺🇸
Request
We received an emergency request from United States law enforcement for data to locate a person who was allegedly kidnapped.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after determining the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death. Law enforcement later reported that they were able to locate and safeguard the person.
Emergency Request on Fugitive Alleged to Have Committed Murder • Facebook • November 2021 • New Zealand 🇳🇿
Emergency Request on Fugitive Alleged to Have Committed Murder • Facebook • November 2021 • New Zealand 🇳🇿
Request
We received an emergency request from New Zealand law enforcement for data to locate an armed fugitive wanted for alleged homicide.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after determining the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death. Law enforcement later reported that they were able to safely apprehend the fugitive.
Legal Process Request on Threat of Violence • Facebook, Instagram • September 2021 • Brazil 🇧🇷
Legal Process Request on Threat of Violence • Facebook, Instagram • September 2021 • Brazil 🇧🇷
Request
We received a legal process request from Brazilian law enforcement related to a person who allegedly cyberstalked and threatened violence against their ex-partner.
Result
We reviewed the request and produced data after assessing whether the request was legally valid and whether disclosure would be consistent with our policies. Law enforcement later reported that they located and seized the devices used to commit the alleged crime.
Emergency Request on Missing Minor • WhatsApp • September 2021 • Netherlands 🇳🇱
Emergency Request on Missing Minor • WhatsApp • September 2021 • Netherlands 🇳🇱
Request
We received an emergency request from law enforcement in the Netherlands for data to locate a missing minor.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after determining the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death. Law enforcement later reported that they were able to locate the missing minor.
Emergency Request on Alleged Foreign Terrorist Fighter • Facebook • May 2021 • Italy 🇮🇹
Emergency Request on Alleged Foreign Terrorist Fighter • Facebook • May 2021 • Italy 🇮🇹
Request
We received an emergency request from Italian law enforcement for data related to an alleged foreign terrorist fighter who previously threatened to carry out acts of terrorism in Europe and who law enforcement believed to be hiding and preparing for an attack in Italy.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after determining the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death. Following our response, law enforcement reported that they were able to locate the individual.
Emergency Request on Individual at Risk of Suicide • Facebook • April 2021 • United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Emergency Request on Individual at Risk of Suicide • Facebook • April 2021 • United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Request
We received an emergency request from United Kingdom law enforcement for data to locate and safeguard an individual who had communicated to their partner that they were making a suicide attempt.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after determining the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death. Following our response, law enforcement reported that they were able to identify and safeguard the individual, and work with emergency services to provide the necessary medical treatment and support.
To learn more about our efforts on suicide prevention, please visit the
Safety Center.Emergency Request on Alleged Members of Gang Kidnapping and Extortion • WhatsApp • February 2021 • India 🇮🇳
Emergency Request on Alleged Members of Gang Kidnapping and Extortion • WhatsApp • February 2021 • India 🇮🇳
Request
We received an emergency request from Indian law enforcement for data to locate an interstate gang alleged to be involved in the kidnapping and extortion of a foreign traveler.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after determining the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death. Following our response, law enforcement reported that they were able to locate the alleged gang members involved in the crime and safeguard the victim.
Emergency Request on Fugitive Threatening Murder • WhatsApp • January 2021 • Brazil 🇧🇷
Emergency Request on Fugitive Threatening Murder • WhatsApp • January 2021 • Brazil 🇧🇷
Request
We received an emergency request from Brazilian law enforcement for data to locate a fugitive on trial for murder who was alleged to be making death threats against a witness in the case.
Result
We assessed the request and produced data on an emergency basis after determining the matter posed an imminent risk of serious physical injury or death. Following our response, law enforcement reported that they were able to locate the fugitive, preventing them from carrying out their threat against the witness.