Viewing YouTube Videos Isn’t Safe!

Be Afraid

John Iovine
2 min readApr 4, 2024
Licensed

The US Federal Authorities

US Federal Authorities demanded that Google supply user account information for those who watched selected public YouTube videos and live streams. According to Forbes, who saw the court documents, the court granted the Feds’ request for information and asked Google not to publicize the request.

The effects of these digital warrants are chilling. You can be considered a potential criminal suspect for watching a legal public YouTube video.

The Videos

The Feds are interested in two videos that were watched on the site between Jan. 1 and Jan. 8, 2023. Video one involved Bitcoin money laundering, selling Bitcoin for cash, which is a financial violation. The second video shows officers investigating a bomb threat in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The Bitcoin video had over 30,000 views.

The other interest was eight selected live streams related to a bomb threat that had over 130,000 viewers.

Even if you weren’t logged into YouTube, the Feds still have your IP address to find you.

The Feds are asking for the names, addresses, phone numbers, and account activity. Did…

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John Iovine

Science writer, thinker, self-experimenter, focusing on personal development and health — www.john-iovine.com