Twitter filed a lawsuit in federal court in California over the federal government’s surveillance program as it’s conducted through online and social media sites, saying the FBI and the Justice Department ought to allow the company to tell users when they’re under watch.
Specifically, Twitter Inc. wants the court to allow the publication of a full “transparency report” that would provide the public with insight related to the government’s requests for users’ information, the New York Post reported.
Right now, the federal government, under its national security letters program, is allowed to request private companies like Twitter, Google and other social media and Internet giants turn over certain information on users, all in the name of fighting terrorism. The companies aren’t allowed to disclose to their customers or to the American public the specifics of these surveillance requests.
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals is going to decide on Wednesday if that “gag order” part of the program is a violation of free speech rights, The Associated Press reported. A lower court has previously ruled that they are.
The FBI sends out thousands of these national security letters’ requests each year — and few know the details, because of the gag order that bars the companies from discussing them with anyone. The FBI, for its part, says the program is a crucial tool to combating terrorism and the gag order is most necessary, AP reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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