The giant social network Facebook on Friday said that it had received around 9,000 to 10,000 data requests from U.S. government agencies in the second half of 2012.
Facebook is trying to shield itself from a growing public backlash after the former CIA employee Edward Snowden leaked that many of the giant internet companies were ordered to give access to their data services under National Security Agency's policy of monitoring phone calls and internet data in the country.
In a press release on its website, the Company's top Attorney Ted Ullyot said that after negotiations with national security officials, the company had been given permission to disclose very limited revelations about the "government orders and requests" to turn over user data.
Facebook said it had received requests mainly relating to around 18,000 to 19,000 accounts of allegedly fugitive tracking, missing children investigations and terrorist threats.
Former CIA employee Snowden who leaked the NSA's programs of monitoring of phone calls and internet data said that internet giant companies like Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Apple and Microsoft had granted the National Security Agency "direct access" to their servers.
Calling the leaks as "confused and inaccurate reporting," Ted Ullyot said that the company wanted to disclose the information to show that only "a tiny fraction of one percent" of its 1.1 billion users have been affected.
The rival giant Internet companies have been in alliance lately, pressuring the U.S. government to loosen their legal gag on government surveillance orders.
"We have always believed that it's important to differentiate between different types of government requests," said Google in a statement.
"We already publish criminal requests separately from National Security Letters. Lumping the two categories together would be a step back for users. Our request to the government is clear: to be able to publish aggregate numbers of national security requests, including FISA disclosures, separately," said Google.
Snowden is currently hiding in Hong Kong in fear of possible prosecution from the U.S. government.
