The Department of Homeland Security sent hundreds of subpoenas to Google, Meta, Reddit, and Discord demanding the identities of anonymous users who criticized ICE or tracked agent locations. Google, Meta, and Reddit complied with at least some requests. In one case, Google handed over user data the same day it notified the user—giving no realistic opportunity to fight back.
Why this is Complicity
These weren't court orders. They were administrative subpoenas, issued by DHS itself with no judge involved. Companies can refuse them, and if they do, DHS has to go to court and prove the request is lawful. When a handful of users did challenge these subpoenas with ACLU help, DHS withdrew them rather than face a judge. In contrast, Apple has historically refused requests to unlock devices, arguing user privacy is non-negotiable. Google, Meta, and Reddit—whose platforms include Gmail, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—are making a different choice: they are handing over data identifying Americans exercising their First Amendment rights, without forcing the government to prove it had the right to ask. Google and Meta have extensive business before the federal government and are prioritizing favor with the administration over the privacy and safety of their users.