Usage of Email Audit API "lawful purposes"

[Keith H]

Hello,

Our Education-Edition domain administration would like clarification on the usage of the Email Audit API.  We understand that it can only be used "for lawful purposes in accordance with [our] Customer Agreement," as written in the API documentation.  I have also read that the API is for "official legal requests" in terms of enforcing compliance.  I am certain we are correct in our interpretation that we can utilize the Email Audit API when we receive a subpoena from a lawyer or legal office requesting data or surveillance on a suspect account.  However, I would like clarification on the following scenario:

May the Email Audit API be used to provide support to users who request it?  For example, a user claims they did not receive an email, or claims all their messages were deleted; could we use the Account Information request to check their login data and from which IPs?  I apologize if this seems obtuse; a few situations have come up where it was suggested to use the Email Audit API to obtain information about a user so that we could have a better picture of their circumstances, as well as verify their stories or provide more-detailed support.  As we are not looking to archive any data, we are not sure if the above intention violates the Terms of Service.

Thank you,

Keith H

[Claudio Cherubino]

Hi Keith,

Given the nature of the question, I'm checking with the legal team to provide you with the best possible answer.

Thanks for your patience.

Claudio

Keith H

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[Claudio Cherubino]

Keith,

Google cannot provide legal advice or interpret the terms of service on our customers' behalf.  You may want to review your question with your legal counsel.

Thanks for your inquiry.

Claudio