Apple's Latest Transparency Report Includes Geofence Requests From U.S. Government

Apple today shared a new Transparency Report providing information on customer data requests that the company received from the U.S. government in the first half of 2022.

apple logo us flag smooth
For the first time ever, Apple has reported the total number of "geofence requests" that it received from the U.S. government. These requests are meant to include specific latitude and longitudes coordinates for a specified time period, but Apple does not collect this information as part of its commitment to customer privacy, and therefore does not provide it to law enforcement, while fully respecting the legal process.

From the Transparency Report:

Apple may also receive requests from government agencies seeking customer data related to specific latitude and longitudes coordinates (geofence) for a specified time period. Apple does not have any data to provide in response to geofence requests.

For additional information, the Transparency Report is available on Apple's website as a PDF.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:08 am PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. At an Apple Experience, attendees are typically given the opportunity to try out Apple's latest hardware or software. Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio last month, for example, some content creators attended an Apple Experience...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:29 am PST by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability. There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Rumor: Apple to Announce Multiple New Products in First Week of March

Tuesday February 17, 2026 6:35 pm PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. And now, rumors are surfacing about Apple's broader plans for that week. Daring Fireball's John Gruber today guessed that Apple will announce new products on a day-by-day basis from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4:What strikes...

Top Rated Comments

F23 Avatar
32 months ago
this is why I am an Apple sheep
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
32 months ago
It’s great to have confirmation that Apple does not collect this data. However, I’m sure the cell service providers are more than happy to turn it over, so I’m not sure it matters whether Apple collects it or not.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cocky jeremy Avatar
32 months ago
Haha. Sorry, screw you, FBI.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crawfish963 Avatar
32 months ago

It’s great to have confirmation that Apple does not collect this data. However, I’m sure the cell service providers are more than happy to turn it over, so I’m not sure it matters whether Apple collects it or not.
Not so much that they are happy to. They have to as geofence requests require a search warrant. But sometimes cell providers object to large geofence areas with tens of thousands of devices within the zone.


Source: am retired detective who wrote/served these warrants
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrTemple Avatar
32 months ago

It’s great to have confirmation that Apple does not collect this data. However, I’m sure the cell service providers are more than happy to turn it over, so I’m not sure it matters whether Apple collects it or not.
Oh yeah, and more. Data that's illegal for law enforcement to collect is legal for corporations to collect and sell to LEOs. ?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crawfish963 Avatar
32 months ago

Ok, I’m sure none of these companies are “happy” to turn over anything! That said, and you no doubt can tell me if I’m wrong, the cell providers have all the geofence info, so whether Apple collects it or not, someone does…
I doubt Apple does. I’ve looked at a lot of data from warrants to Apple. Before E2E encryption it was a lot of data. Since E2E it’s almost nothing. Almost not even worth writing a warrant anymore. Apple definitely locks down stuff. Google on the other hand…

Really cell tower data is the go-to for geolocation. Google will also have a lot of GPS data.

Also most LE agencies now just go to seize the phone and use a tool like Graykey or Cellebrite Premium to get into the phone and pull geo data from that. I was previously on a task force for an alphabet agency and used those tools. Once into the phone almost everything is available to police.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)