There's 2 different things going on, under different legal authorities and Google is confusing them.
Verizon was given a Patriot Act order for business records, metadata; no names; no content, but all citizens or foreigner.
Google and other tech companies are said to have gotten orders under section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. That allows the government to compel communications companies to furnish lots of metadata and CONTENT on NON-U.S. persons. This was Congress legalizing warrantless wiretapping ala AT&T, but limiting it by requiring it to be targeted at non U.S. persons.
Compliance is mandatory, under contempt of court and companies must provide facilities and help. They also get reimbursed.
So it's likely Google never got an order like Verizon did, they likely got one that involves content, but is supposed to exclude intentional targeting of Americans.
Verizon was given a Patriot Act order for business records, metadata; no names; no content, but all citizens or foreigner.
Google and other tech companies are said to have gotten orders under section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. That allows the government to compel communications companies to furnish lots of metadata and CONTENT on NON-U.S. persons. This was Congress legalizing warrantless wiretapping ala AT&T, but limiting it by requiring it to be targeted at non U.S. persons.
Compliance is mandatory, under contempt of court and companies must provide facilities and help. They also get reimbursed.
So it's likely Google never got an order like Verizon did, they likely got one that involves content, but is supposed to exclude intentional targeting of Americans.