• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Tech

Twitter Sees Only a Small Bump in Government Information Requests

By
Kia Kokalitcheva
Kia Kokalitcheva
By
Kia Kokalitcheva
Kia Kokalitcheva
September 21, 2016, 6:23 PM ET
People are seen as silhouettes as they check mobile devices whilst standing against an illuminated wall bearing Twitter Inc.'s logo in this arranged photograph in London, U.K., on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. Twitter Inc. may be preparing to raise its character limit for tweets to the thousands from the current 140, a person with knowledge of the matter said. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
People are seen as silhouettes as they check mobile devices whilst standing against an illuminated wall bearing Twitter Inc.'s logo in this arranged photograph in London, U.K., on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. Twitter Inc. may be preparing to raise its character limit for tweets to the thousands from the current 140, a person with knowledge of the matter said. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph by Chris Ratcliffe — Bloomberg via Getty Images

Twitter received only 2% more government requests for user information during the six months ending in June of this year than it did in the second half of 2015, the company said on Wednesday.

Overall, Twitter has received 5,676 requests for information, such as law enforcement search warrants and subpoenas, in the first half of 2016 , according the company’s latest transparency report. Twitter said it provided at least some information for 69% of the requests.

The U.S. remains the biggest source of government requests for information, or 44% of all requests. However, as compared to its data for the second half of 2015, the number of requests by U.S. authorities fell by 152 to 2,520 for the first six months of 2016.

Japan was No. 2 in requests followed by the U.K., France, and Turkey. There was also a spike in requests from Belgium following the terrorist attacks there in March, the report said.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

This latest report also now includes a breakdown of information requests for video apps Vine and Periscope, the Twitter-owned live video broadcasting services. According to Twitter, it received 25 information requests for Vine accounts in the first half of this year and 47 requests for Periscope accounts. Both are included in the Twitter’s total number of requests for that period. The company disclosed at least some information in 75% of cases involving Vine accounts and 45% for Periscope. The requests for Vine are not surprising, as the video streaming service has become an increasingly popular tool for documenting protests, the aftermath of terrorism attacks, and other current events.

Twitter also notes that it has received about 13% fewer requests by the government and other parties such as lawyers for removing or withholding content. In all, it received 5,195 such requests in the first six months of 2016.

Check out Twitter’s full transparency report here.

About the Author
By Kia Kokalitcheva
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.