Authorities order Google to share data on some YouTube viewers as part of a money laundering probe

Federal authorities in the US have reportedly requested Google to disclose the identities and activity of users who watched specific YouTube videos as part of a money laundering investigation.

The investigation targets an individual known online as "elonmuskwhm," suspected of illegally selling bitcoin for cash and running an unlicensed money transmitting business.

The court documents, revealed by Forbes, indicate that the government sought names, addresses, telephone numbers, and user activity of accounts that viewed certain videos between January 1 and 8, 2023. Even viewers who weren't logged in were not exempt, as authorities also requested their IP addresses.

While the court granted the order, its disclosure was kept confidential, leaving uncertainties about whether Google complied and handed over the requested data.