Los Angeles Times

Commentary: Facebook helped police with an abortion investigation in Nebraska. That’s troubling news everywhere

Reports emerged this month that Facebook handed over to law enforcement messages between a Nebraska teenager and her mother about the teen’ s pregnancy loss.

After reports revealed this month that Facebook handed over to law enforcement messages between a Nebraska teenager and her mother about the teen’s pregnancy loss, the company released a statement claiming ignorance about the nature of the investigation. “The warrants did not mention abortion at all. Court documents indicate that police were at that time investigating the alleged illegal burning and burial of a stillborn infant,” the company wrote.

But that argument would set a disturbing precedent. Tech companies

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times2 min read
Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández Key Thrilling Walk-off Win For Dodgers
The Arizona Diamondbacks had a base open. They decided to pitch to Freddie Freeman anyway. In the Dodgers’ come-from-behind, walk-off 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night, Freeman provided the pivotal moment in a game-winning two-run rally
Los Angeles Times5 min read
LA Unified School District Shelves Its Hyped AI Chatbot To Help Students After Collapse Of Firm That Made It
LOS ANGELES — A much vaunted AI chatbot — custom designed to help students thrive academically and parents navigate the complexities of Los Angeles public schools — has been turned off after the company that created it furloughed "the vast major
Los Angeles Times4 min read
Robin Abcarian: The Surgeon General Acknowledged America's Gun Violence Emergency. Here's Why That Matters
Hey, cheer up: The news is not all bad. The federal government acknowledged for the first time last week that gun violence is an urgent public health crisis. You already knew that, of course. We all knew it. But thanks to the gun lobby's stranglehold

Related Books & Audiobooks