How Ademero handles law enforcement and legal requests for user data
Ademero is committed to protecting our users' privacy and data security. We carefully review all legal requests to ensure they comply with applicable laws and our policies. When law enforcement agencies, government entities, or other parties seek to compel disclosure of user information through subpoenas, court orders, or search warrants, we apply rigorous legal standards and notify affected users whenever legally permissible. This section outlines our comprehensive approach to handling legal process requests and explains the protections we implement to safeguard user rights and privacy.
Legal Framework: Ademero operates under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), 18 U.S.C. Section 2703, and international legal frameworks including the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). We comply with Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and we recognize the legal standards established by the Stored Communications Act (SCA).
We notify users of legal requests unless legally prohibited or in emergency situations
We provide only the minimum data required by valid legal process
Every request is reviewed by our legal team for validity and scope
We publish transparency reports about legal requests we receive
Different forms of legal process carry varying legal weights and procedural requirements. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for law enforcement agencies and other parties seeking user information from Ademero. Each type of legal process follows specific statutory procedures under federal law and state law, with different standards of proof and judicial oversight requirements.
A subpoena is typically the lowest threshold of legal process, often issued by attorneys or by courts without prior judicial review. Court orders require judicial authorization and are issued by a judge or magistrate with jurisdiction over the matter. Search warrants represent the highest threshold, requiring a showing of probable cause based on an affidavit under oath. We evaluate each request carefully to ensure it meets the appropriate legal standards before producing any user information.
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures. This protection extends to digital communications and data stored electronically. Ademero takes this constitutional protection seriously and reviews all legal requests to ensure they comply with these standards.
When law enforcement seeks access to user data through government surveillance or law enforcement requests, we evaluate whether the request meets the constitutional threshold for reasonableness. We may challenge overly broad requests and work with users to protect their constitutional rights.
Users have significant legal rights when it comes to challenging disclosure of their information. In many cases, users can file a motion to quash or seek a protective order to prevent or delay disclosure of their data. This right is particularly important in civil matters where law enforcement interest is not present.
Ademero encourages users who receive notice of legal requests to consult with their own attorneys to understand their options. We will delay production of data when users pursue legal challenges, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Reference materials on motion practice and protective orders can be found through the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and other civil rights organizations.
Transparency about government data requests is essential for democratic accountability. Ademero publishes transparency reports on a semiannual basis documenting the number of legal requests we receive and the types of information requested. This transparency allows civil society, lawmakers, and the public to understand the scope of government surveillance.
Our transparency reports follow industry-standard formats and include information about requests by jurisdiction, type of legal process, and compliance rates. This commitment to transparency aligns with practices advocated by organizations focused on digital rights and privacy protection.
Ademero, Inc.
Attn: Legal Department
Tampa, Florida
United States
Our typical response timeline is 30-45 business days from receipt of a valid legal request, though we endeavor to respond as quickly as possible. Emergency requests involving imminent harm receive expedited review. The timeline may be extended if the request is unusually complex, requires coordination with multiple teams, or if we issue a legal challenge through protective orders. This timeline aligns with procedures outlined in the ECPA statutory requirements, which generally provide for reasonable timeframes for compliance with lawful government requests.
Yes, we notify affected users of legal requests whenever legally permitted. We typically provide notice within 5 business days of receiving a request, unless a court order or law enforcement request explicitly prohibits notification, or unless the request involves an emergency involving imminent harm to a person. When we are prohibited from notifying users, we request the shortest possible prohibition period and document all requests received.
We provide only information specifically requested in valid legal process, subject to applicable law and our privacy policies. This may include account registration information, account activity logs, IP addresses, and user communication metadata. We apply strict principles of minimal disclosure and will object to overly broad or vague requests that seek to compel unnecessary information about users.
Absolutely. Users have the right to seek a protective order, motion to quash, or other legal challenge to any request for their information. Ademero will delay production of data when a user pursues legal challenges, to the extent permitted by law. Users should work with their own attorneys to pursue these remedies. We encourage users to assert their Fourth Amendment and statutory privacy rights.
International requests must generally be made through formal mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) or other bilateral agreements between governments. Requests from foreign law enforcement that do not follow these procedures will be declined unless they meet specific legal exceptions. We evaluate all international requests with heightened scrutiny to protect user rights across different legal jurisdictions.
Make requests as narrow and specific as possible. Identify exact user accounts, specific time periods, and the precise information needed. Overly broad requests are more likely to face legal challenges and delay the response timeline.
Ensure requests are properly formatted, signed, and issued under proper authority. Include case numbers, jurisdiction information, and appropriate official seals. Incomplete or improperly executed requests may require clarification before we can process them.
Provide complete contact details for the requesting agency, including a dedicated point of contact. This ensures we can communicate about production timeline, costs, or any issues with the request without delays.
For emergency requests involving imminent harm, call our emergency number first at (863) 937-0272, then provide written documentation. This ensures your request receives immediate attention and expedited handling.
Ademero may seek reimbursement for costs associated with responding to legal process, as permitted by federal law and state statutes. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act and various state laws recognize that technology companies incur significant expenses when responding to government requests and legal process. These costs are properly charged to the requesting party when applicable.
Typical costs associated with legal process requests include:
Reimbursement requests follow applicable statutory procedures and will be provided upon completion of our response. Pricing is competitive and based on industry standards for similar services.
Learn more about our privacy practices and user rights