Updated March 29, 2023

These guidelines are for U.S. law enforcement officials seeking information about Yik Yak user accounts. A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty request or letter rogatory may be required from international law enforcement. When Yik Yak receives a request for user account information from a government agency investigating criminal activity, the Yik Yak team reviews each request to be sure that it satisfies all legal requirements. Yik Yak is committed to cooperating with law enforcement while respecting each individual’s right to privacy. The procedures and guidelines below are provided for convenience only and do not supplant Yik Yak’s terms of use, privacy policy, and the law governing Yik Yak’s, its users, and law enforcement rights and obligations. This information may change at any time.

What is Yik Yak?

Yik Yak is a social network that helps users connect with their community. By letting users express themselves, exchange thoughts, and explore their world, Yik Yak helps users feel at home within their local community.

What Account Information Does Yik Yak Have?

Yik Yak’s records include the following information whenever a user interacts with the Yik Yak app:

• The date and time of the interaction with the app, beginning with the time the user verifies their phone number;
• The community or group where the user posted the message;
• The user-agent string associated with the device used to access the app
• The user’s phone number provided when it first launches the app

Data Retention and Preservation Requests

Yik Yak retains different types of information for different time periods. Due to the real-time nature of Yik Yak, some information may be stored for only a very brief period of time.

Subject to applicable law, Yik Yak will not retain data for law enforcement unless it receives a valid preservation request. Preservation requests must be submitted through the below form and signed by the requesting official. Please include screenshots of the messages that you wish to be preserved, if available.

Legal Process Requirements

Yik Yak discloses user account information only in accordance with applicable law, including the Stored Communications Act (the “SCA”), 18 U.S.C. § 2701, et seq. Yik Yak will only release non-public information about its users to law enforcement officials in response to appropriate legal process, such as a valid subpoena, court order, or search warrant – or in response to a valid emergency request, as described below.