The internet provides access to a vast amount of information, but not all of it is legal to view or search for. While using a search engine like Google is not inherently illegal, searching for certain types of content can cross legal boundaries. Understanding what types of searches may constitute illegal activity is important for anyone using the internet.
Child Pornography
One of the most clear-cut categories of illegal search terms is anything related to child pornography. Images or videos depicting sexual acts involving a minor (someone under 18 years old) are absolutely illegal under federal law. Even searching for this kind of content using keywords could potentially get you into legal trouble.
Merely stumbling upon this kind of imagery can feel intensely disturbing. However, intentionally seeking it out via search engine queries constitutes an attempt to find and potentially distribute child pornography. That is a serious crime that can lead to prison time and being placed on sex offender registries.
Revenge Porn
“Revenge porn” refers to the distribution of sexually explicit images or videos of a person without their consent. While some instances of this involve images that were originally provided consensually, such as in the context of a relationship, it becomes illegal when shared without permission.
Searching on Google specifically looking for revenge porn to view would be considered attempting to access illegal content. The legality gets murky when it comes to inadvertent access, such as coming across revenge porn that someone else has posted online. But purposefully seeking it out can be against the law.
Classified Government Information
Secret government documents, such as classified military records, intelligence data, or confidential personnel files, are also illegal to access or distribute. Posting this type of content online in any capacity is a crime. Searching for classified records using keywords could show intent to uncover secret government data.
Whistleblowing sites that illicitly publish leaked classified documents are illegal. Therefore, searching for specific content on those sites related to uncovered government secrets could potentially implicate you in a crime. Even if you don’t actually find classified records through your searching, demonstrating intent is enough in these cases.
Threats of Violence
Making specific threats of violence against others online or through searches is illegal. Even if you have no actual intent to commit violence, the threatening language itself can be against the law in some cases.
For example, searching for things like “how to assassinate [name]” or “how to make a bomb for [location]” could constitute threats. The specifics matter, butsearches like this could demonstrate intent to commit violence or terroristic acts if they are deemed credible by law enforcement.
Copyrighted Material
Mass downloading of copyrighted material through various torrent services and other websites is illegal. However, simply searching for pirated movies, music, books, or other media is not necessarily illegal in itself. It depends on what you do after conducting those searches.
Merely looking to see if copyrighted content is available does not always constitute copyright infringement. But if your searching enables you to then access, download, and distribute substantial copyrighted materials, that crosses the line into illegal behavior in many cases.
Prescription Drugs
It is illegal to sell or distribute prescription drugs over the internet without proper licensing and without a prescription. Some Google searches could demonstrate intent to buy or sell prescription medication over the internet illegally.
For example, searching for “buy Oxycodone no prescription” or “sell Adderall online” clearly shows you are attempting to deal prescription drugs, which would be breaking the law. Even searching for those types of illegal dealings would be unwise and could potentially prompt legal trouble.
Conclusion
While using Google itself is not illegal, searches for certain kinds of content and materials could cross legal lines depending on the specifics. Areas such as child pornography, revenge porn, classified government documents, threats of violence, copyright infringement, and illegal prescription drug sales are clearly illegal both to search for and access based on federal law.
Understanding the limits and avoiding problematic search terms is crucial for anyone wishing to stay on the right side of the law. Claims that you “didn’t know” rarely hold up in court. Be smart, be safe, and be responsible with your Google searches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to Google how to commit a crime?
Yes, searching for information on how to commit a specific crime could potentially be illegal in itself, depending on the specifics. Even if you do not actually follow through on a crime, demonstrating intent by conducting searches related to the planning or execution of criminal acts could still get you into legal trouble.
Can you get arrested for Googling illegal things?
It’s possible, yes. Law enforcement does monitor internet activity, including searches, for illegal behavior. If your searches indicate activities like planning a terrorist attack, child pornography, buying illegal drugs, etc., that evidence could theoretically be used to make an arrest or bring charges against you.
Is it illegal to search how to make drugs?
Searching for specifics on drug manufacturing could potentially demonstrate intent to produce illegal substances. However, simply searching about the effects or history of various drugs would likely not be illegal in most cases.
Can Google report you to the police?
Google does have to comply with valid search warrants and subpoenas from law enforcement and government agencies. So illegal searches could be reported to police if Google receives an official request about activity associated with your account and IP address.
Is it illegal to search deep web?
Simply accessing the deep web is not necessarily illegal. However, since deep web sites are not indexed by search engines like Google, they are more likely to contain illegal or unethical content. Searching there specifically for things like child porn, terrorism guides, hitmen for hire, etc. could get you into legal trouble.
| Type of Illegal Search | Potential Legal Consequences |
|---|---|
| Child pornography | Fines, imprisonment, sex offender registry |
| Revenge porn | Fines, civil lawsuits |
| Classified documents | Imprisonment, fines |
| Violent threats | Fines, imprisonment |
| Copyright infringement | Civil lawsuits, fines |
| Illegal prescription drugs | Fines, imprisonment |
Can Google tell if you delete your history?
Yes, Google keeps internal logs of user activity that are separate from your search history shown in your account. So deleting your search history does not mean Google no longer has a record of your searches and activity while logged into your Google account.
Is Google responsible for illegal content in search results?
Google cannot legally allow certain types of illegal content like child porn in its search results. However, for other questionable material, Google maintains its status as a platform covered by Section 230 protections. This shields it from liability for most third-party illegal content appearing in search results.
Can you actually find illegal things on the normal Google search engine?
It is possible to unintentionally come across some illegal content on Google, but the company works to rapidly remove this kind of material when detected. Actively searching for most clearly illegal content on Google itself will not yield results. However, the dark web accessed via Tor browser does openly host much more illegal content and activities.