Google has released some FBI subpoenas it received. The move is in line with Google's stance to remain transparent about surveillance requests made by the government. The company also released a transparency report, which showed the user data requests it has received from authorities all over the world.
Earlier this year, Google announced that the FBI had lifted a gag order it imposed on technology companies. The lifting of the order now allows Google to disclose secret subpoenas that it received from the agency. The company's first batch of letters includes eight such requests. The letters asked for information related to 23 accounts. However, the data required by these messages was "limited to name, address, and length of service."
Google is believed to have received the first of such requests back in 2010. The latest request was made in 2015. The National Security Letter (NSL) also asked Google to maintain the status quo as any change in the service may tip off the users about possible data sharing.
The NSL stated, "While fulfilling your obligations under this letter, please do not disable, suspend, lock, cancel or interrupt service." Google specified that the FBI did not seek information about the content or subject line of any email.
However, for the disclosure purpose, the company was asked to withhold the name and contact details of the FBI authority seeking such information. Google complied with this request and redacted the particular information from the released data.
Under the changes in the USA Freedom Act, Google has a slight latitude to decide about the disclosures. However, it is impossible to know the exact number of requests received by the internet behemoth. According to the company, the number of such requests it received between January and June 2016 ranged between 0 and 499.