Thursday, January 29, 2015

reddit’s first transparency report

We regularly get requests from governments and law enforcement agencies for private information about our users or to remove content or subreddits; we occasionally get formal subpoenas and legal requests from individuals. These requests are usually legitimate; we push back on any that we view as overbroad or unnecessarily invasive of privacy. Two weeks ago, we announced that we would publish a transparency report covering requests from 2014, because we want to share what goes on behind the scenes. Today, we're releasing that report (html version).

In 2014, we decided not to provide user information in response to 42% of all government and civil requests for private information. We pushed back and did not remove content in 69% of requests to remove content.

In most cases, we tell users before sharing private information in response to requests. The only times we do not tell users are if a court order prohibits us or if there is a threat of imminent and serious bodily harm to a person.

As part of our privacy commitment, we plan to report on these requests and our responses every year.

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