David Ward 9,613 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 We’ve all made that joke, “Searching for this in Google is gonna get me on an FBI watch list.” But according to a recent report, that might actually be true if you watched some very specific YouTube videos last year. A United States federal court ordered Google to turn over the identities of tens of thousands of users who watched certain videos in a specific timeframe. Federal investigators obtained court-approved subpoenas for any YouTube viewers who watched tutorials on mapping via drones and augmented reality software, according to a report from Forbes. The investigators had been communicating with a suspected money launderer undercover, sent them links to the relevant videos, then demanded Google identify anyone who had watched said videos immediately following. According to experts from the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project and the Electronic Privacy Information Center interviewed by Forbes, the subpoenas may have violated the US Constitution’s First and Fourth Amendments. These foundational laws protect freedom of speech and restrict unreasonable search and seizure, respectively. Such potential breaches typically aren’t acted upon unless a victim fights them in court, often resulting in lengthy legal battles that can reach the United States Supreme Court before being resolved. https://www.pcworld.com/article/2278729/feds-demanded-id-of-youtube-users-who-watched-certain-videos.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/03/22/feds-ordered-google-to-unmask-certain-youtube-users-critics-say-its-terrifying/?sh=1d394c791ca7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionic 50,111 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 Imagine ending up on a government watch list because YouTube autoplayed a recommended video while you were AFK Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vengaboy 1,421 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 arrest me for watching too many videos of Gaga performing live Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionic 50,111 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 11 minutes ago, Vengaboy said: arrest me for watching too many videos of Rita Ora performing live Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PartySick 172,528 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 Seems like a massive breach of privacy This country has its priorities backwards. God forbid we do ANYTHING in response to gun violence because it may or may not violate the 2nd amendment but I guess the other constitutional rights just don't matter Whimsical bitch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSine 6,905 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 8 minutes ago, PartySick said: Seems like a massive breach of privacy This country has its priorities backwards. God forbid we do ANYTHING in response to gun violence because it may or may not violate the 2nd amendment but I guess the other constitutional rights just don't matter The reality of data. If it's a court order, even if they refused I don't think they'd have a choice. It's like when Protonmail,which is well-know to be privacy-friendly, had to give over someone's IP for an arrest. However, it's still shocking to see how much corpraate companies can snag about you, and investigating the entire world population is a bit much. I agree with you. 💛 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTV 13,913 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 yep. privacy is an illusion Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PartySick 172,528 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 4 minutes ago, TheSine said: The reality of data. If it's a court order, even if they refused I don't think they'd have a choice. It's like when Protonmail,which is well-know to be privacy-friendly, had to give over someone's IP for an arrest. However, it's still shocking to see how much corpraate companies can snag about you, and investigating the entire world population is a bit much. I agree with you. And then people wonder why I'm so against having to prove I'm over 18 to access social media in Florida Whimsical bitch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonkers 30,860 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 I'd go so far as to say I can't think of one reason anybody subscribed to Ben Shapiro should be living free with the rest of us. I'm done playin with these fools and I want us just ONE sweeping clean up Remember to like and subscribe, and click on the bell icon to get the latest updates Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddMeOnMYSPACE 2,097 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 So if 100,000 users watched a video on a certain time and day, the users will be arrested cops can’t even catch Walmart shoplifters Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionic 50,111 Posted March 26, 2024 Share Posted March 26, 2024 1 minute ago, AddMeOnMYSPACE said: So if 100,000 users watched a video on a certain time and day, the users will be arrested cops can’t even catch Walmart shoplifters Less "the users will be arrested" and more "the info will be used against the users in future if convenient" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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