Court Says Trump Can't Use Leaks To Justify Spying On Journalists' LinkedIn DMs

An anonymous reader reports from Ars Technica that an appeals court has ruled against the Trump administration's attempt to compel LinkedIn to disclose 18 months of communications from journalists. The court found that the government's request was overly broad and threatened the First Amendment rights of journalists. The DOJ had asked for extensive data on journalists who may have had a connection to a controversial report, casting a wide net without specificity.

LinkedIn argued that the government's overreach went beyond harming targeted journalists and could undermine a vital platform for connecting with confidential sources. The court also criticized the lower court for approving the request due to technical feasibility alone, emphasizing that serious security and speech claims can exist in tension.

While not quashing the entire order, the court directed the lower court to reconsider a limited exception that would allow LinkedIn to notify an attorney representing the news outlet under investigation. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press hailed the ruling as significant, recognizing that confidential sources are crucial to investigative reporting and that such dragnet demands violate the law.