So what does the first Twitter Transparency Report really mean for us Tweeters? The jury is still out. Twitter, just like Google, continues to receive increased pressure from governments to share user account information. If fact, according to the report, Twitter received more requests during the first half of this year than they received the entirety of 2011. They followed Google’s lead and on Monday, published data around the removal and user information requests they receive.
Governments around the world are asking for account user information and requesting that Twitter withhold certain content, while copyright holders continue to request that information be removed from the site, DCMA take down notices.
While the majority of these requests come from the United States, Twitter reports that they comply with 63% of worldwide requests to provide user account information. Unless prohibited by law, Twitter also claims to inform all users when requests are made. So, don’t worry. If you haven’t been told that Big Brother wants your information, they probably haven’t asked for it.
And, as we all know, just because content is in a “cloud” that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t leave a trail. Watch what you say. Be prepared to stand by your Tweets. Don’t violate the rights of others. And, read the rules before your Tweet. They’re mostly common sense.