Apple today released its latest transparency report outlining government data requests for the secd half of 2017, covering dates between July 1 and December 31 [PDF].Apple's transparency reports are designed to provide customers with information the number of data-related requests received from law enforcement officials in the United States and around the world.
In the United States, Apple received 4,450 requests for 15,168 devices and provided data in 80% of the cases (in 3,548 cases). Worldwide, Apple received a total of 29,718 requests covering 309,362 devices and provided data in 79% of the cases (in 23,445 cases).
Apple received a similar number of applicatis in the US and worldwide from July to December 2016, but the number of devices included in the total number of applicatis doubled. Last year, Apple received 30,184 requests covering 151,105 devices and answered 72% of those requests.
Data requests cover a wide range of circumstances, from when law enforcement agencies work behalf of clients who have sought help locating lost or stolen devices in criminal investigatis.
In the United States, applicatis received by Apple may include subpoenas, court orders, search warrants, pen / trap registers and tracing orders, or wiretap orders .
While Apple tries to be as transparent as possible in these reports, the government does not allow the company to disclose specific details …
