Google Transparency Report

[Mid]

Like other technology and communications companies, Google regularly receives requests from government agencies and courts around the world to remove content from our services. In this report, we disclose the number of requests we receive from each government in six-month periods with certain limitations.

Governments ask companies to remove content for many different reasons. For example, some content removals are requested due to allegations of defamation, while others are due to allegations that the content violates local laws prohibiting hate speech or pornography. Laws surrounding these issues vary by country, and the requests reflect the legal context of a given jurisdiction. We hope this tool will be helpful in discussions about the appropriate scope and authority of government requests.

These observations on content removal requests highlight some trends that we've seen in the data during each reporting period, and are by no means exhaustive.

July to December 2011


Thailand

We received four requests from the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology in Thailand to remove 149 YouTube videos for allegedly insulting the monarchy in violation of Thailand's lèse-majesté law. We restricted 70% of these videos from view in Thailand in accordance with local law.

January to June 2011


Thailand

We received two requests from the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology in Thailand to remove 225 YouTube videos for allegedly insulting the monarchy in violation of Thailand's lèse-majesté law. We restricted Thai users from accessing more than 90% of the videos.

July to December 2010


Thailand

We received a request from the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology in Thailand to remove 43 pieces of content because they were mocking or criticizing the king in violation of Thai lèse-majesté laws. We restricted Thai users from accessing these videos.

Government – Google Transparency Report

[kmart]

Is the poodle's birthday party still available?

[Cthulhu]

All of these videos continue to be accessible outside of Thailand.