Working with
law enforcement.
Circus cooperates with law enforcement agencies when legally required and in accordance with applicable law. This page explains our process and how to submit a request.
Our principles
We take every legal request seriously. We review each one carefully and only disclose user information when we are legally required to do so. We notify users of requests whenever legally permitted, and we push back on requests we believe are overbroad or improper.
Circus is committed to protecting user privacy. We do not provide law enforcement with direct access to user data, and we do not participate in any bulk surveillance programs.
We require a valid subpoena, court order, or search warrant before producing any user data. Emergency disclosures may proceed without formal process where there is a credible and imminent threat to life, but must include sufficient information to assess the emergency. We do not comply with informal requests or correspondence that lacks legal process.
Direct contact
Use the dedicated addresses below to reach our legal team directly. Both inboxes are monitored and all submissions acknowledged within the timeframe required by applicable law.
Primary channel for all law enforcement requests — subpoenas, court orders, emergency disclosures, and data preservation holds.
Legal correspondenceFor legal notices, MLAT guidance, formal correspondence, and escalations requiring direct legal team involvement.
How to submit a request
Email your request and all supporting documents to lawenforcement@circus.app. Include your agency name, case or reference number, the specific data categories you are seeking, and a copy of the valid legal process document. Our legal team reviews every request for legal sufficiency, scope, and compliance with applicable law, and responds within the timeframe required by law. Unless prohibited by court order or legal process, we notify the affected user.
Emergency requests: Use the same address with subject line EMERGENCY DISCLOSURE. Our legal team monitors this inbox around the clock and prioritizes emergency submissions.
What data we retain
Account registration information
Username, email address, phone number (if provided), registration date, and account status. Retained for the life of the account.
Posts and comments
Public posts are retained per our data policy. Direct messages are designed with encryption in mind; security details will be published before launch.
Imminent threat to life
Where we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent loss of life, we may voluntarily provide limited information to law enforcement without legal process.
Reports and enforcement actions
Reports, content removal decisions, appeals, and enforcement actions. Retained for a minimum of 2 years from the date of the action.
CSAM reporting
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) will be reported to NCMEC's CyberTipline as required under 18 U.S.C. § 2258A before user uploads go live, in addition to relevant law enforcement in the applicable jurisdiction. CSAM is never retained beyond what is required to make a report. Discovery of CSAM on the platform results in immediate account suspension pending investigation.
Exigent circumstances
Where law enforcement provides a credible assertion that disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent loss of life or serious bodily harm, Circus may voluntarily disclose limited account information without formal legal process. This applies only to genuine emergencies — fabricating an emergency to obtain user data without legal process is a criminal offense.
Emergency requests should be sent to lawenforcement@circus.app with the subject line EMERGENCY DISCLOSURE. Our legal team monitors this inbox around the clock and prioritizes emergency submissions.
International requests
Circus Corporation is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States. The governing law for all data and user information held by Circus is United States federal law and the laws of Delaware. International requests must comply with applicable US law, regardless of the requesting jurisdiction.
International law enforcement agencies seeking user data are expected to use existing mutual legal assistance frameworks. Requests that purport to rely on foreign law alone, without compliance with US legal requirements, will not be processed.
MLAT requests
Requests for content data from law enforcement agencies outside the United States should be submitted via a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) request through the relevant US Department of Justice channel. Direct requests for content data from international agencies, without MLAT process, will be declined unless accompanied by a valid US court order.
MLAT requests for account-level non-content data (e.g. registration information) from Five Eyes jurisdictions may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact legal@circus.app for further guidance before submitting.