The number of requests made by governments across the globe for user data has doubled in the last three years, the latest Google transparency report revealed.
During January to June 2013, Google received about 10,918 requests for user data from the US alone, which accounted for over a third of the overall 25,879 requests received by the search major globally.
Google law enforcement and information security legal director Richard Salgado said that the report includes additional information about legal process for US criminal requests: breaking out emergency disclosures, wiretap orders, pen register orders and other court orders.
"However, the US Department of Justice contends that US law does not allow us to share information about some national security requests that we might receive," Salgado said.
"Specifically, the US government argues that we cannot share information about the requests we receive (if any) under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. But you deserve to know."
India followed the US in seeking users data with number of requests reaching 2,691, while Germany (2,311), France (2,011) and Britain (1,274) were placed in third, fourth and fifth positions.
In response to requests, Google offered at least some data in 83% of requests made by the US and 65% of global requests.
"This comes as usage of our services continues to grow, but also as more governments have made requests than ever before," Salgado added.
"And these numbers only include the requests we’re allowed to publish."
