this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2026
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Privacy

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These subpoenas... (www.rawstory.com)
submitted 23 hours ago by unspeakablehorror@thelemmy.club to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
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Hey all -

Just curious if anyone has seen a notice related to the news below. Reporting says hundreds sent out and that in most cases the tech companies have to notify the person and give time to contest it. So it would be good to get a clear example of these admin subpoena notices so we can all be on the lookout:

https://www.rawstory.com/ice-2675268854/

Or maybe this is some huge bullshit scare tactic.

Thank you!

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[–] FineCoatMummy@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 hours ago

From the article, the subpoenas went to Google, Meta, Reddit, and Discord, and are targeting accounts that "lack real names".

Even if someone has signed up with fake names, I hold tremendous suspicion they can ID people anyway. Of course their accuracy is going to depend on many things. For example, did someone use their own IP, or a VPN? Did they use the app, or a web interface? But some of those sites won't even allow signups through VPNs.

There is a big industry built around browser and device fingerprinting for "identity resolution". This tech was driven by the advertising industry, after their ability to use cookies for identification was curtailed. I have no way to prove this, nor evidence for this, but I would eat my hiking boots if the big social media sites did NOT use that sorta tech.

[–] artyom@piefed.social 8 points 22 hours ago (2 children)

I mean it's a legit concern but, maybe don't give them your data in the first place?

[–] unspeakablehorror@thelemmy.club 7 points 21 hours ago

it's tough because we need to get the word out to people to advertise events like No kings and share info on ICE, most ppl don't have the time between working 3 jobs and raising kids to properly research open source options. Those of us who know better have to reach out to those who don't using their medium.

I always use VPN at bare minimum so I'm not personally worried but I know a lot of ppl who are more into activism than tech privacy who I wanna keep informed.

[–] chuckleslord@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah, man. Why don't you just voluntarily remove yourself from society at large so that they can't own your data? /s

Meta has your data, even if you aren't a part of their ecosystem. This is true of all the rest of them as well. You can't "personal responsibility" your way out of this.

[–] artyom@piefed.social 1 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (1 children)

Why don't you just voluntarily remove yourself from society at large so that they can't own your data

...wat?

Meta has your data, even if you aren't a part of their ecosystem

Not sure what "data" you're referring to but they don't have anything useful from me.

You can't "personal responsibility" your way out of this.

No one is doing that. I didn't say anything about responsibility.

[–] chuckleslord@lemmy.world 3 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

To not give them your data, you can't interact in their ecosystems. Their ecosystems are the community writ large, so by voluntarily removing yourself from those ecosystems, you're voluntarily removing yourself from the parts of society that they've squatted on. Ergo, removing yourself from society (with a sprinkle of hyperbole, since it was sarcasm)

Without you having signed up to Facebook, if anyone you know who has your phone number has signed up and shared your contact info, then they know your name, who you know, your phone number, which they can then use to associate you to any online interaction where you've also given your phone number. They have an idea of the demographics you belong to, political stance (not having a Facebook or Instagram gives them a lot of info for that), and a general vibe of who you are. Source: The exposure after the Cambridge Analytica Scandal

You pointing out that maybe the victims are to blame for their data being in the hands of megacorps surely must imply that you think personal responsibility is the only recourse we have for this. But maybe I read that wrong and you just had no further thoughts beyond what you literally wrote down. Victim blaming for the game of it.

[–] artyom@piefed.social 1 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

which they can then use to associate you to any online interaction where you've also given your phone number

Which is why I don't give anyone my phone number.

You pointing out that maybe the victims are to blame for their data being in the hands of megacorps

Once again, that never happened, you just made it up, and I don't appreciate it.

[–] chuckleslord@lemmy.world 1 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Which is why I don't give anyone my phone number.

Happy for you, chief. I'm sure that makes it real useful to have, then, since no one knows it to call you.

Once again, that never happened, you just made it up, and I don't appreciate it.

Cool, how am I supposed to read this, then?

I mean it's a legit concern but, maybe don't give them your data in the first place?

Does that not read "if they have your data, you're the one who gave it to them"? Explain it to me, because I'm clearly not understanding

[–] artyom@piefed.social 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

I'm sure that makes it real useful to have, then, since no one knows it to call you.

I meant I don't give it to companies, because I know that's why they want it.

how am I supposed to read this, then?

How about exactly how it's fucking written? Without making shit up? Do you think you can do that?

[–] chuckleslord@lemmy.world 2 points 11 hours ago

Dude, I told you I don't understand how what you've written is different from what I've said, so maybe start there? I can see the literal words you wrote, thanks. I'm trying to get to the meaning you're attempting to convey, dude.

Like are you saying "people shouldn't have given their data to these companies", then my entire argument until now applies. It's not really an opt-out situation, unless you refuse to play ball with these companies.

Are you saying "companies shouldn't have this data"? Like, fair, but I'm not certain how what you're saying conveys this point.

What are attempting to say because I clearly don't understand it with those words in that order. Give more context to what you mean, please. I genuinely want to understand but I can't parse what you're trying to say beyond what I parroted back at you. And it's not some failure on your part, I am a certifiable idiot sometimes when it comes to this shit.

[–] mrnobody@reddthat.com 7 points 22 hours ago (2 children)

Probably both. I rarely speak my full mind, especially online, only bc I know how unrestrained they're allowed to be plus I'm familiar with their overreach too.

Maybe others should get off their soapboxes and understand the same. I'm not saying go silent, I'm saying exercise caution on these sensitive subjects where they'll quickly throw blame to their cause to get away with what do.

[–] FineCoatMummy@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

I rarely speak my full mind, especially online,

I agree with you that caution is good. Yet at the same time, this is exactly the "chilling effect" of mass surveillance, right? People start to self-police.

[–] mrnobody@reddthat.com 3 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah exactly. Well, while current admin knock China for mass surveillance, the US just allow 3rd parties to do it first who then sell the gov access to it all... There's no difference outside of US constantly having data breaches so all our info is everywhere.

[–] eldavi@lemmy.ml 3 points 10 hours ago

There’s no difference outside of US constantly having data breaches so all our info is everywhere.

i got a coupon to buy "identity protection" from equifax/whatever when the opm got hacked and then i got another coupon to buy again when equifax as hacked. lol

[–] unspeakablehorror@thelemmy.club 1 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago)

Agreed, I've always followed the rule of if i'm gonna say anything, pretend everyone i know is in the same room, would I still say that thing and be proud of it?

Honestly the more of us who are generally sane ppl who contribute to society they fuck with, the better because it just makes them look rediculous.

That said, if I'm about to get punched in the face, I'd prefer to know if its coming so I can prepare.

[–] Twongo@lemmy.ml 2 points 20 hours ago

Glad I'm not USian and i can just express that every a ICE Agent should hang :)