The Wiretap is your weekly digest of cybersecurity, internet privacy and surveillance news. To get it in your inbox, subscribe here.(Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)Getty ImagesBack in early 2024, Google was ordered by the United States Attorneys Office in Northern California to provide the supposedly-private location data and identifying information belonging to 2,654 of its users. This is according to recently-unsealed court documents detailing the order, which had been signed off by a judge and asked for data on any Google user within a combined area of more than 1,600 acres across 13 distinct locations for a total period of nearly two-and-a-half days. While the nature of the crime remains under seal, the search warrant amounted to one of the most sprawling so-called "geofence" orders on record.It also landed a month after Google had announced updates that would make geofence orders technically impossible by adding layers of security around location data. But Google, knowing that it had yet to roll out that update, and believing the order to be too broad, asked a judge to quash the order."The thousands of people who would be swept into the governments search may have been enjoying the privacy of their homes, taking part in protected religious activity in a place of worship, commuting, or engaging in countless other private activities," Google wrote in its appeal against the order, which revealed at least 500 acres of the areas being searched were in San Francisco. "The vast majorityif not allof them did not participate in the crime and are unlikely to be witnesses."That same February, the government backed down and told Google it wouldnt be asking for it to provide the data. It did not give its reasons, but noted it had reviewed Googles motion to quash.Its a rare example of how Google pushes back on data grabs that would invade the privacy of thousands of innocent users. There are, however, concerns about whether Google and its fellow tech giants will continue to push back against overly broad demands when Trump's federal agencies come knocking.Albert Fox-Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, says the pushback was a rare example of what happened in the pre-Trump era, when tech companies data was often raided by the U.S. government. It's even harder to trust large tech companies to hold our data safe when we see their leaders bending over backwards to appease the Trump administration, he added. If they're willing to spend millions and endorse the man in public, what are they willing to do to help him in private?Got a tip on surveillance or cybercrime? Get me on Signal at +1 929-512-7964.THE BIG STORY:Musks DOGE Wants Access To IRS Taxpayer Data(Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe IRS is in discussions with the White House about allowing staff from Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to the personal information of every taxpayer in the U.S., according to unnamed sources speaking with the Washington Post.DOGE software engineer Gavin Kliger would be given permission to access the data under the proposed agreement, though he had not yet been granted that permission as of this weekend.DOGE staff are now working inside a number of agencies as they attempt to remake American institutions, from the Treasury to USAID. According to Forbes, theyre heading for the Pentagon too.Meanwhile, Michelle King, the acting head of the Social Security Administration, has quit rather than let DOGE get access to sensitive data on the agencys systems.Stories You Have To Read TodayThe DHS Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency is shedding staff under the Trump administration, including those tasked with security elections, according to reports. At least 17 CISA staff trying to protect elections from threats like ransomware have been put on leave pending a review.Theres some new Apple Mac malware in town. Its dubbed FrigidStealer and is launched via malicious websites, according to research from Proofpoint.Winner of the WeekIn response to reports that the U.K. ordered Apple to install backdoors to allow access to encrypted iCloud accounts, Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has introduced a bill that would prevent foreign government access to Americans data. Called the Global Trust in American Online Services Act, it would update the CLOUD Act, which permits foreign governments to go directly to U.S. companies to demand user data rather than going through the U.S. legal system.Loser of the WeekAn Italian spyware maker called SIO created a number of malicious Android apps posing as WhatsApp and other popular tools, according to TechCrunch. It marks another case of surveillance dealers who have been caught taking advantage of user trust in encrypted messaging services.More On Forbes