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Google broke its promise to me – now ICE has my data

eff.org

April 15, 2026

4 min read

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81/100

Summary

In April 2025, Google complied with an ICE subpoena and provided Amandla Thomas-Johnson's data without notifying him, violating a previous promise to inform users before sharing their information with law enforcement. Thomas-Johnson, a Ph.D. candidate, had attended a pro-Palestinian protest in September 2024, which led to the data request.

Key Takeaways

Google provided Amandla Thomas-Johnson's data to ICE in response to an administrative subpoena without notifying him, violating its promise to alert users before such disclosures.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed complaints with California and New York Attorneys General against Google for deceptive trade practices related to this incident.
The subpoena requested detailed information about Thomas-Johnson, including IP addresses and physical address, which could create an invasive surveillance profile.
The incident highlights the risks of combining state power with corporate data, allowing for arbitrary investigations of individuals.

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Community Sentiment

Negative

Positives

Migrating away from Google services empowers users to take control of their data, reducing reliance on companies that may comply with government data requests.
Self-hosting solutions like Immich offer users a viable alternative to mainstream cloud services, enhancing privacy and data security.

Concerns

Google's compliance with ICE subpoenas raises serious ethical concerns about user privacy and the extent of corporate responsibility in protecting data.
The increasing surveillance capabilities of government agencies, facilitated by tech companies, contribute to a climate of fear and mistrust among users.