• Español We are calling on technology companies like Meta and Google to stand up for their users by resisting the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) lawless administrative subpoenas for user data. • In the past year, DHS has consistently targeted people engaged in First Amendment activity. • Among other things, the agency has issued subpoenas to technology companies to unmask or locate people who have documented ICE’s activities in their community, criticized the government, or attended protests. • These subpoenas are unlawful, and the government knows it. • When a handful of users challenged a few of them in courtwith the help ofACLU affiliates in Northern California and Pennsylvania, DHSwithdrewthem rather than waiting for a decision. • These subpoenas are unlawful, and the government knows it.
Article Summaries:
- A coalition of civil‑rights groups, led by the ACLU of Northern California, has sent an open letter to major tech firms-including Meta, Google, Amazon, Apple, and TikTok-urging them to resist the Department of Homeland Security’s administrative subpoenas. The letter argues that DHS has repeatedly targeted users engaged in First Amendment activity, such as documenting ICE actions or protesting, and that many subpoenas are unlawful. It calls on companies to require court orders before compliance, provide users with notice, and refuse gag orders that would prevent user notification. The letter cites that Google received 28,622 and Meta 14,520 subpoenas in early 2025, highlighting the scale of the issue.
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