Malayalam News
Widespread protests against Facebook for complying with US police investigating an abortion case. The criticism comes after media reports revealed that Facebook turned over to police the messages of a mother who was criminally charged for having an abortion on behalf of her daughter.
Jessica Burgess, 41, is the mother who has been criminally charged for having an abortion on behalf of her daughter. The charge against them is that they helped their 17-year-old daughter to have an abortion. She faces five charges under a 2010 law that only allows abortions up to 20 weeks after fertilization. Their daughter is facing three charges, including concealing or abandoning a dead body.
Facebook owner Meta defended himself Tuesday, saying the Nebraska court order “did not mention abortion.” When asked about handing over data, the Silicon Valley giant pointed to AFP’s policy of complying with government requests “when the law requires us to do so.”
In late June, the US Supreme Court struck down the national right to abortion. Lawyers warned of this kind of thing when Roe v. Wade, the case that granted abortion rights in the United States, was overturned. Because big tech companies hold a trove of data about users’ locations and behavior.
Nebraska’s regulations were adopted years before Roe v. Wade was overturned. About 16 states have outright bans or limits in their jurisdictions during the first weeks of pregnancy.