As the cyber crimes keep on growing, and cyber defamation becomes a cause of concern forthe individuals and businessmen alike, the criminal investigation authorities lay greatstresson the digital information that can be gathered from internet giants such as Google. This digital information is retrieved from Google’s servers upon a subpoena request from the victim’s attorneys and the litigation support teams. However, Google’s strict policies regarding how to deal with and protect the data of its subscribers play a vital role in this procedure of gathering data and the Google subpoena compliance issue is what the cyber crime investigation authorities consider before bothering Google for the required digital evidence Google has its own way of responding to the subpoena requests.

Before even considering the requests, Google asks for a valid legal process to be conducted before being bothered; according to some statistics, they usually won’t pay much attention to the subpoena request if it is not from the state of California. To make sure that Google subpoena compliance is not an issue, the cyber crime investigation agencies follow a plan specifically devised to convince Google to respond to the subpoena requests. These agencies carefully construct a plan which may include filing a lawsuit against the responsible author and provide Google with a court order along the subpoena request. Without the court order that asks Google to disclose the relevant information, the response of the internet giant Google is unlikely to appear.

One of the most important reasons that have forced Google to develop such an ignorant behavior towards the subpoena requests is that they value highly, the secrecy of the personal information of its subscribers. Since these subscribers have responded by putting a great amount of trust in Google, however Google won’t just disclose the personal information of its users at an ordinary subpoena request. Even if they respond, it is likely that the data provided is highly specific about the subject, and any further information beyond the subject will not be disclosed, even if it proves to be vital digital evidence.

These strict privacy policies make Google subpoena compliance a concerning issue that may hinder or affect the progress of the investigation. However, if the lawsuit is well prepared, and the support of the court is present, Google will respond even if it does so by providing little but helpful information about the subject. This approach helps Google to protect its brand by valuing the first amendment rights of its subscribers that include its users as well as advertisers.

The cyber crime investigation authorities object to Google’s strict approach in responding to the subpoena requests, but Google has issued a statement in response to this objection in which they ask for authenticity and seriousness of the subpoena request, and have clarified their position that makes them obliged to protect the information that is demanded by the attorney.

Therefore Google subpoena compliance remains to be an issue unresolved, as either party has reasons to back up their stance in this argument related do disclosure of the digital evidence..

In some cases, before even responding to the subpoena request, Google might contact the subscriber for permission of disclosure of their personal information present at Google’s servers. Even if the permission is granted the Google subpoena compliance will be helpful in only reaching the culprit, and not for providing whole of the digital evidence demanded. Like this, Google’s response to the subpoena request may not be entirely helpful altogether, and it remains to be doubtful if they would even respond.