DHS Demanded Google Surrender Data on Canadian’s Activity, Location Over Anti-ICE Posts
The Department of Homeland Security issued a customs summons to Google seeking location and activity data on a Canadian man who criticized U.S. immigration enforcement online, despite him not entering the U.S. in over a decade. The summons, issued under the Tariff Act of 1930, was allegedly used to investigate the man's social media posts condemning the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. The man's lawyers argue the use of the law exceeds its intended scope and violates civil liberties, as the request targeted protected speech rather than customs-related activity.
- ▪The Department of Homeland Security used a customs summons under the Tariff Act of 1930 to request a Canadian man's data from Google.
- ▪The man has not entered the United States in more than ten years and was targeted due to his anti-ICE social media posts.
- ▪Google notified the man of the request despite being instructed not to disclose it, and he initially believed it was a scam.
- ▪The summons sought information about account suspensions related to threatening language, though the man's posts did not include threats or incite violence.
- ▪The ACLU argues that DHS is exploiting the U.S. location of tech companies to access data it would otherwise lack jurisdiction to obtain.
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Maddy VarnerSecurityMay 4, 2026 10:45 AMDHS Demanded Google Surrender Data on Canadian's Activity, Location Over Anti-ICE PostsUsing a 1930s trade law, Homeland Security targeted the man—who hasn't entered the US in more than a decade—following posts on X condemning the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.Photo-Illustration: Jobanny Cabrera; Getty ImagesCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThe Department of Homeland Security tried to obtain a Canadian man’s location information, activity logs, and other identifying information from Google after he criticized the Trump administration online following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis early this year.Lawyers for the man, who has not been named,…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at WIRED.
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