Digital Innocence Initiative – Protect Justice
Imagine being wrongfully accused or convicted, knowing proof of your innocence exists—but it’s trapped in your Gmail account. Now, imagine Google plans to delete it by the end of the month.
If Google Location Data can be used to accuse or convict, it can be used to prove someone’s innocence – if it’s preserved.
We call on Google to protect justice by preserving the “Google Maps Timeline” data.
How Location Data Prevents Wrongful Convictions
Since its introduction in 2015, Google’s location data has stored users’ GPS histories, often dating back to the account’s creation.
This information has been pivotal in preventing wrongful convictions, providing crucial alibis, and exonerating innocent people.
But that’s not all—it holds even greater potential for justice by overturning wrongful convictions.
The Power to Overturn Wrongful Convictions
For post-conviction reviews, long-retained digital evidence like Google’s location data is a lifeline.
It offers irrefutable proof of innocence that can impact thousands of people wrongfully convicted over the last decade.
With its retention threatened, so too is justice for many still fighting to clear their names.
Why Wrongful Convictions Happen
The numbers paint a grim picture:
- Since 1989, thousands have been wrongfully convicted, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
- The Innocence Network identifies misapplied forensic science and weak or ineffective legal defense as the leading causes of these miscarriages of justice.
For vulnerable communities, the risks are even higher.
Who Is Most Affected?
Public defenders represent the majority of those wrongfully convicted:
- Over 60% of exonerees relied on public defenders, who often lack the resources or expertise needed to secure justice.
- An estimated 70–80% of public defender clients are minorities or from other vulnerable groups.
This disparity in legal resources creates a significant disadvantage for those relying on public defense, further increasing the risk of wrongful convictions.
The Fight for Parity in Public Defense
Public defense systems are under-resourced compared to federal agencies, particularly when it comes to technical expertise and access to digital evidence.
Even when life-altering evidence is available, many defenders are unaware of its existence or unsure how to obtain it.
The Digital Innocence Initiative provides technical resources and guidance to help public defenders prevent and overturn wrongful convictions with digital evidence.
However, without Google’s cooperation to preserve location data, this fight becomes infinitely harder.
A Simple Solution: Preserve Google Location Data
We urge Google to prioritize justice by preserving “Google Maps Timeline” data.
This small, common-sense action can have a massive impact, offering fairness and equity for countless individuals in the criminal justice system.
Take Action Now!
Don’t let technology stand in the way of justice. Here’s how you can help:
- Spread the Word: Share this message with your networks to raise awareness.
- Advocate for Justice: Help ensure that no one’s innocence is erased.
- Check your cases and clients: Look for Google location data before it’s too late!
Together, we can create a fairer, more equitable criminal justice system. Act now – justice depends on it.
Let Google know how to help protect justice by preserving the invaluable “Google Maps Timeline” data.
Instructions for public defenders to preserve Google location data
Digital Innocence Initiative
The Digital Innocence Initiative is the first and only not for profit volunteer organization dedicated to fighting wrongful convictions with digital evidence.
We provide technical knowledge, guidance and resources to public defenders and individuals with post conviction claims of actual innocence.
A strong defense does not happen by accident – it requires a combination of knowledge, resources and initiative.
Our goal is to make a positive impact by offering common sense solutions that can create a more fair and equitable criminal justice system.
