Repost from Civil Liberties Defense Center
Over the last month or so several activists around the country known to CLDC received an unfriendly email from Google. The Google user was informed that Google received and responded to “a legal process” from the FBI compelling them to give up all the info and data related to your Google account. As usual, Google claims to be gagged from letting you know until after the fact (months or years later) that they are letting the FBI suck up your personal (and you thought private) information, photos, emails, Google phone numbers and Google documents. This of course includes the information of those you sent emails to, shared Google docs with, etc.
One activist received one of these Google emails on December 6, 2024, and responded by requesting that Google provide them with the subpoena related to their account. Ten days later Google provided them with a redacted copy of the subpoena dated April 27, 2023—seeking Google data from January 1, 2023 until the date of the subpoena pursuant to a federal grand jury in the District of Minnesota. So Google informed this person their data was seized almost 2 years after Google gave it to the FBI. Others who have received similar Google notices have not received responses from Google yet. (But just to emphasize this was pre-Trump state repression).
First, a reminder—Google SUCKS and you should delete your Google account as soon as possible. See our digital security page for alternatives to Google-Snitch.
Second, if you receive something similar, reach out to the CLDC so we can help. You should probably go ahead and ask Google for the subpoena as well.
Finally, do not speculate publicly (or in writing) about what you might think is being investigated. And remember to think twice about putting anything in writing that could harm you or your community. Take yourself and your political work seriously and engage in document hygiene.
We’ve got your back.
