"Google Exposes Pro-Palestine Activist to ICE in Secret Data Handover"

Google Secretly Handed ICE Data on Pro-Palestine Student Activist, Raising Concerns About Online Privacy In a shocking revelation, Google secretly provided US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with data on Amandla Thomas-Johnson, a pro-Palestine student activist, without notifying him or allowing him to contest the request. This move has sparked concerns about the erosion of online privacy and the surveillance of individuals exercising their right to free expression. According to The Intercept, ICE had been tracking international students who had spoken out against Israel's war on Gaza earlier this spring. Two graduate students at Cornell University, Momodou Taal and Amandla Thomas-Johnson, fled their dorms in fear of being targeted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the intelligence division of ICE. The incident has raised questions about Google's commitment to protecting user data and its willingness to comply with federal subpoenas. "This is a disturbing development that highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability from tech companies," said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). "Users have a right to know when their data is being shared with law enforcement, and they should be able to contest such requests." The Intercept reported that Google's actions mark a departure from its previous public stance against federal subpoenas targeting users for protected speech. The company had previously argued that such requests would undermine free expression and chill online discourse. Amandla Thomas-Johnson, the student activist whose data was shared with ICE, expressed his outrage at the revelation. "I'm appalled that Google would secretly hand over my data to ICE without even notifying me," he said in a statement. "This is a clear example of how tech companies are complicit in the surveillance state and willing to sacrifice user privacy for their own interests." The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling on Google to take immediate action to address the issue. "Google must take responsibility for its actions and provide transparency about its data-sharing practices," said a spokesperson for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). "Users have a right to know how their data is being used, and they should be able to trust that tech companies will protect their privacy." In response to the controversy, Google has issued a statement saying that it complies with valid law enforcement requests. However, the company has not provided further details about its data-sharing practices or confirmed whether it has taken steps to address the issue. The incident highlights the ongoing debate about online privacy and the role of tech companies in protecting user data. As the use of technology continues to grow, concerns about surveillance and data sharing are becoming increasingly pressing. The revelation that Google secretly handed over data on a pro-Palestine student activist to ICE raises important questions about the limits of free expression and the erosion of online privacy. In related news, protests against Google's Project Nimbus, which provides cloud computing services to Israeli military forces, have been ongoing since May 14, 2024. Demonstrators have blocked the entrance to Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, calling on the company to end its involvement with the project and respect Palestinian human rights. As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the incident has sparked a wider conversation about online privacy, surveillance, and the role of tech companies in protecting user data. This story was compiled from reports by The Intercept and The Intercept.