Christian Science Monitor: “When United States law enforcement officials need to cast a wide net for information, they’re increasingly turning to the vast digital ponds of personal data created by Big Tech companies via the devices and online services that have hooked billions of people around the world. Data compiled by four of the biggest tech companies shows that law enforcement requests for user information – phone calls, emails, texts, photos, shopping histories, driving routes, and more – have more than tripled in the U.S. since 2015. Police are also increasingly savvy about covering their tracks so as not to alert suspects of their interest. That’s the backdrop for recent revelations that the Trump-era U.S. Justice Department sought data from Apple, Microsoft, and Google about members of Congress, their aides, and news reporters in leak investigations – then pursued court orders that blocked those companies from informing their targets. In just the first half of 2020 – the most recent data available – Apple, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft together fielded more than 112,000 data requests from local, state, and federal officials. The companies agreed to hand over some data in 85% of those cases. Facebook, including its Instagram service, accounted for the largest number of disclosures…”