The United States government is reportedly attempting a new level of overreach by issuing “keyword warrants” to Google.
In an attempt to crack down on online criminals, federal investigators are utilizing the so-called keyword warrants to order Google to provide personal information on anyone who searches a specific keyword in their browser — completely breaching an individual’s privacy.
According to Forbes, this type of warrant has been used multiple times in the last five years to track down criminals. However, the method is particularly controversial, as the government is not working with information it already has about potential suspects. Rather, the orders are “effectively fishing expeditions” which allow the feds to review the search histories of anyone who typed in the wrong phrase.
Forbes reported — based on an accidentally unsealed court document the outlet obtained — that in 2019, federal investigators in Wisconsin were searching for a girl who was sexually abused and trafficked. In their manhunt, they turned to Google.
To catch the kidnappers of the victim, the FBI allegedly told the Big Tech giant to provide them with any information on individuals who searched the girl’s name online, the two spellings of her mother’s name and her home address over a...
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