Feds Demand YouTube Viewer Data from Google to ID Bitcoin Seller

Federal investigators ordered Google to provide info on YouTube viewers of specific videos to help identify a bitcoin seller they suspect of illegal activity.

Police asked Google for personal details on accounts that viewed YouTube live streams after receiving bomb threats, believing incidents were connected nationwide.

Privacy experts said the orders were unconstitutional and a "terrifying" overreach threatening innocent viewers.

The court granted the orders despite objections, but it's unclear if Google provided the requested data.

This continues a trend of "digital dragnet" warrants requiring tech companies to hand over wide-ranging user information without direct probable cause.