Facebook, Online Privacy and Australian Crime Authorities
Monday 2 September 2013 @ 8.23 a.m. | IP & Media | Torts, Damages & Civil Liability
Facebook has revealed in a statement that, in the first six months of this year, it has received 546 data requests from Australian authorities, related to 601 different Facebook users.
Australia submitted the eighth highest number of data requests of any country, with the US topping the list at around 12,000 requests. Facebook's general counsel Colin Stretch said that the information was produced in 64 per cent of cases.
"When we are required to comply with a particular request, we frequently share only basic user information, such as name," he said.
"We strongly encourage all governments to provide greater transparency about their efforts aimed at keeping the public safe, and we will continue to be aggressive advocates for greater disclosure."
Facebook has been making headlines in recent days, with a US court ordering the social media giant to pay $20 million in compensation to users affected by a privacy flaw.
Approximately 600,000 Facebook users whose names and profile pictures appeared without their permission in ads on the site will receive about $16 each in compensation.
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