Facebook Wants To Protect User Information Against Government Data Requests

Facebook has released its third transparency report which shows a steady rise in government's demand for access. The Facebook Global Government Requests Report divulged the 24 percent increase in the number of requests during the first six months of 2014. Such a big leap compared to the last half of 2013.

The social media giant received 34,946 requests for data from governments around the world during the first half of 2014. The unprecedented request is by far the largest the company has received. The requests normally include information about the number of government data and request for content removal. The demand also includes requests for updated information about national security which come from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and from National Security Letters.

Increase of such proportion can be witnessed in some nations like the United Kingdom and the United States. Governments of the mentioned countries have sent more demands than ever before.

In UK for instance, they received 2,600 demands on account on the first six months of this year. Such a notable increase compared to the 2,200 requests in the last six months of 2013. While in the U.S., the company received 23,667 requests in the year's first half. Facebook revealed that they complied with 70 percent of government requests in UK and complied in around 80 percent of cases in the U.S., The Inquirer reports.

According to Facebook's Deputy General Counsel Chris Sonderby, the company respects the urge of governments to protect the safety and security of their citizens. However, the company would also like to protect information of the people who uses the social networking site's services.

Sonderby reveals that the company supports the USA Freedom Act which was recently passed in the U.S. Senate. He also said that they are hoping that the Congress will update the Electronic Communications Privacy Act which will give Facebook the right to demand for a warrant before they disclose any information about an account.

Last September, Facebook reported to have approximately 1.35 billion monthly active users. Being the world's largest social network by far, Facebook appears to be the favorite feeding ground for data. This makes the social media giant the apple of the eye of federal agencies, CNET reports.