Facebook User’s Messages Bring Abortion Charges in Nebraska (1)

A Nebraska woman was charged with two felonies related to an illegal abortion after authorities discovered information about the pregnancy through private messages on Facebook Messenger, according to court documents. The case renewed debate about how law enforcement may use social media accounts in cases involving reproductive choices.

The messages were collected from Facebook parent company Meta Platforms Inc. using a search warrant after investigators in June requested the woman’s personal information to determine whether she had committed other crimes, including concealing the death of another person.

The warrant from local law enforcement asked for data going back to April ...