Government agencies are making more requests to Facebook for information on New Zealanders, the social media platform says.
Photo: 123RF
In 2014, the number of requests totalled 211, affecting 232 Facebook users and accounts.
Mia Garlick Photo: SUPPLIED
That compares with 186 requests the year before, affecting 223 Facebook users.
The company's head of policy for Australia and New Zealand, Mia Garlick, said the data showed that social media was now being viewed as a tool that could help specific government agencies.
"The slight increase is probably to do with the fact that more and more people are spending more time online," she said.
"The police are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that some of that activity may be useful to them in trying to solve real-world crimes."
Ms Garlick said the company released the request numbers because it felt it was important the public knew what was happening.