Google has decided to automatically delete abortion clinic visits from users’ location history following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The change will take effect in the coming weeks, but it’s unclear when and how soon the data will be deleted after a patient’s visit.
The Current Situation: In at least two states, authorities have already used search history data to prosecute women. The Washington Post reported yesterday on how the police found the phrase “purchase Misoprostol Abortion Pill Online” in a woman’s search history after finding a lifeless, possibly stillborn baby in her toilet.
Why It Matters: Big Tech’s decisions like this could be critical if the government starts seeking personal information to charge people who’ve sought, had, or facilitated abortions.
In Related News: Google also started allowing employees to relocate to the company’s nearly 30 offices across the US without any justification following the overturn of Roe v. Wade.
- Google Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi stated in an internal memo that if an employee wishes to relocate due to personal reasons related to the Roe v. Wade ruling, a team managing the process would be immediately informed.
