UK government asked Facebook for data on 2,500 users

The British government asked Facebook to provide information on more than 2,500 users in the first six months of this year, according to figures released by the social media giant.

Details of 2,619 Facebook accounts were requested between January and June — a 15% rise on the second half of last year.

Facebook said it provided information in more than 70% of requests, but restricted access to content in nine cases in response to court injunctions.