Google approved 48 percent of the 359 requests for data from the Hong Kong government. Photo: Bloomberg
Feeling lucky? HK govt boosts requests for data from Google
The Hong Kong government asked for more user data from search giant Google in the first half of the year than in the past, Apple Daily reported Tuesday.
In its latest Transparency Report, Google said Hong Kong filed 359 requests for data from January to June 2014, up 42 percent from a year ago, and involving 371 user accounts. It approved 48 percent of the requests for the use of the city’s law enforcement departments.
Issued twice yearly, the report reveals the number of requests made by governments worldwide for data on its users.
The United States filed the most number of requests, seeking data involving 21,000 user accounts, of which 84 percent were approved, according to the report.
Macau only filed five requests for seven user accounts, and all were rejected.
A spokesman for Hong Kong’s Office of the Government Chief Information Officer said to prevent and investigate criminal acts, all government agencies, including law enforcement departments, have been asking relevant parties and institutions to provide data or cooperate in the performance of lawful duties based on established rules and procedures.
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http://www.ejinsight.com/20140923-hk-govt-boosts-requests-for-data-from-google/
