Device: requests received from a government agency seeking customer data related to device identifiers, such as serial number or IMEI number.
Financial Identifier: requests received from a government agency seeking customer data related to financial identifiers, such as credit card or gift card.
Account: requests received from a government agency seeking customer data related to account identifiers, such as Apple ID or email address.
Emergency: requests received from a government agency seeking customer data in an emergency matter.
The number of government requests Apple received by request type (Device, Financial Identifier, Account, and Emergency). Requests can be in various formats such as subpoenas, court orders, warrants, or other valid legal requests. We count each individual request by request type and report the total number of requests received by request type.
The number of identifiers specified in the requests. One request may contain one or multiple identifiers. We count the number of identifiers identified in each request and report the total number of identifiers by type (Device, Financial Identifier, Account).
The number of requests that resulted in Apple providing data, such as customers associated with a specific device/account/financial transaction, connection logs, service, purchase or repair information in response to a valid legal request. We count each request where we provide data and report the total number of such instances by type (Device, Financial Identifier, Account, or Emergency).
The percentage of requests that resulted in Apple providing data. We calculate this based on the number of requests by type (Device, Financial Identifier, Account, or Emergency) that resulted in Apple providing data compared to the total number of requests Apple received.
| Device | 4,570 | 14,911 | 3,697 | 81% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Identifier | 918 | 14,556 | 767 | 84% |
| Account | 2,397 | 16,416 | 2,088 | 87% |
| Emergency | 145 | Not Applicable | 129 | 89% |
Note: For additional details regarding Account Requests and Emergency Requests see the Account Requests Report and Emergency Requests Report.
|
Requests Received |
0 - 499 |
|
Users/Accounts |
7,500 - 7,999 |
|
Requests Received |
0 - 499 |
|
Users/Accounts |
13,500 - 13,999 |
|
Requests Received |
3 - 499 |
|
Users/Accounts |
1,005 - 1,499 |
|
National Security Letters where Non-disclosure Order Lifted |
3 |
Apple is providing a complete historical list of National Security Letters (NSLs) received where Non-disclosure orders have been lifted and public disclosure is permitted. These NSLs and the related correspondence releasing the Non-disclosure requirement have been redacted for privacy purposes.
| NSL | Issued Date | Non-Disclosure Released Date |
| NSL-18-444810 | April 19, 2018 | April 2, 2021 |
| NSL-18-444387 | April 24, 2018 | December 2, 2020 |
| NSL-18-440748 | March 15, 2018 | April 9, 2019 |
Note: See the U.S. National Security Requests by Period table at the bottom of the page to view all reporting periods.
U.S. National Security requests seek customer data in response to national security related investigations. National Security requests include orders received under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”) and National Security Letters (“NSLs”). To date, Apple has not received any orders for bulk data.
We report national security requests received for Apple users/accounts (NSLs and orders received under FISA) within ranges permissible by law pursuant to the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 (“USA Freedom”). In order to report FISA non-content and content requests in separate categories, Apple is required by law to delay reporting by 6 months and report in bands of 500. Though we want to be more specific, this is currently the range permitted under USA Freedom for reporting this level of detail regarding national security requests. Apple responds to National Security FISA content requests with information obtained from iCloud. Under the law, Apple cannot further disclose what information or data may be sought through these requests.
To view the complete historical list of NSLs where public disclosure is permitted, see the U.S. NSL page.
|
Requests Received |
1,494 |
|
Accounts Specified in Requests |
3,857 |
|
Accounts where Data Preserved |
2,685 |
|
Requests Received |
4 |
|
Accounts Specified in the Requests |
5 |
|
Requests Rejected / Challenged where No Action Taken |
0 |
|
Requests where Account Restricted |
2 |
|
Requests where Account Deleted |
2 |
High number of financial identifier requests predominantly due to iTunes Gift Card and credit card fraud investigations.
High number of financial identifiers specified in requests predominantly due to Reseller fraud, iTunes Gift Card fraud, and financial fraud investigations.
Apple identified 14 MLAT requests for information issued by the United States government. In instances where the originating country was identified, we counted and reported the MLAT request under the country of origin. In instances where the originating country was not identified, we counted and reported the request under the United States of America.
High number of accounts specified in requests predominantly due to extortion, fraud, and suspected unauthorized account access/phishing investigations.
|
Requests Received |
215 |
|
Requests Rejected / Challenged and No Data Provided |
142 |
|
Requests where No Data Provided |
21 |
|
Requests where Data Provided |
52 |
|
Percentage of Requests where Data Provided |
24% |
|
Requests Received |
0 |
|
Accounts Specified in Requests |
0 |
|
Requests Rejected / Challenged where No Action Taken |
0 |
|
Requests where Account Restricted |
0 |
|
Requests where Account Deleted |
0 |