Google: US spying tripled in three years

The number of US government requests for Google user data have more than tripled over the past three years, the company said. In the first half of 2013, there were 10,918 US requests for data on 21,683 users.

The statistics cover subpoenas, which give the authorities access to IP addresses, names and other account information, as well as search warrants, which police can use to seize emails, photos and other content. The United States requested far more information than any other government, according to the company. Worldwide, Google received 25,879 government requests covering 42,500 accounts in the first half of 2013. Google complied with 63 percent of the total worldwide requests and 83 percent of the US requests. The US statistics cover law enforcement investigations but not the National Security Agency's controversial surveillance programs.