Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Judge Backs Amazon, Raps Feds Over Book Records

Posted by kdawson on from the can't-hide-your-prying-eyes dept.

netbuzz alerts us to a ruling in federal court that has just been made public. US Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker told the Feds to lay off Amazon in denying prosecutors' requests for records of who bought what books at the online retailer. The judge wrote, "The [subpoena's] chilling effect on expressive e-commerce would frost keyboards across America." Prosecutors had demanded 24,000 transaction records from Amazon, all in service of convicting a city official on charges of fraud and tax evasion. In the end they found customer information on the official's PC, where they should have looked in the first place.

9 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. like how they do in prison by User+956 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Judge Backs Amazon, Raps Feds

    When I read that, I added an extra "e" in there, but I guess that's just wishful thinking.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  2. This is America Right? by explosivejared · · Score: 3, Funny

    The withdrawal came after a judge ruled the customers have a First Amendment right to keep their reading habits from the government.

    We're talking about America right? That happened in America? You're kidding me! The same America with warrantless wiretaps and everything! I don't believe you!

    Wait... what's that... fascism does not rule in America like some people on the internet say. You've lost me now. Crackpot!!

    --
    I got a catholic block.
    1. Re:This is America Right? by QCompson · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Wait... what's that... fascism does not rule in America like some people on the internet say. You've lost me now. Crackpot!!
      Har Har! See, it's funny because everyone thinks the American government is headed in the wrong direction and people are worried about the loss of civil liberties. However, this one time the Feds weren't able to steamroll through the justice system with excuses about national security, state secrets, and executive power. So therefore all those naysayers were wrong! Everything's a-ok! Don't worry about warrantless wiretapping, telecom immunity, or national security letters. Funny ha-ha!
  3. Re:Amazon has dangerous material by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 3, Informative

    If that was meant as a joke, then reality is already one step ahead of you.

  4. Can we elect this guy? by Billosaur · · Score: 5, Insightful

    [U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen] Crocker -- who unsealed documents detailing the showdown against prosecutors' wishes -- said he believed prosecutors were seeking the information for a legitimate purpose. But he said First Amendment concerns were justified and outweighed the subpoena's law enforcement purpose.

    "The subpoena is troubling because it permits the government to peek into the reading habits of specific individuals without their knowledge or permission," Crocker wrote. "It is an unsettling and un-American scenario to envision federal agents nosing through the reading lists of law-abiding citizens while hunting for evidence against somebody else."

    So, not everybody in the American legal system is providing a rubber stamp for Federal nosiness. I can't believe the Feds actually thought this was a viable thing -- perhaps they've been swayed by all the success with warrant-less wiretapping and private snooping. I think this may be representative of a desire by the lower courts to put the breaks on rampant violations of American civil rights. At least, one can hope.

    --
    GetOuttaMySpace - The Anti-Social Network
  5. precedence by theMerovingian · · Score: 3, Interesting


    This sounds factually similar to the Robert Bork video rental disclosure issue. See here.

    --
    "If you think you have things under control, you're not going fast enough." --Mario Andretti
  6. That's right! by iknownuttin · · Score: 5, Insightful
    FTFA: "It is an unsettling and un-American scenario to envision federal agents nosing through the reading lists of law-abiding citizens while hunting for evidence against somebody else."

    And:"If the government had been more diligent in looking for workarounds instead of baring its teeth when Amazon balked, it's probable that this entire First Amendment showdown could have been avoided," he wrote

    Damn straight it is un-American! I just wish the agents and presecutors involved would get reprimanded! Or better yet, fired for incompetence.

    --
    I prefer Flambe as apposed flamebait.
    1. Re:That's right! by Xtravar · · Score: 3, Funny

      Wait, we're at war with the Sun now? Shit, I'm really behind on my current events! Last I heard we were still working on Terror.

      --
      Buckle your ROFL belt, we're in for some LOLs.
  7. Sounds like a cool judge. by urcreepyneighbor · · Score: 3, Funny

    The judge wrote, "The [subpoena's] chilling effect on expressive e-commerce would frost keyboards across America." "Chilling effect"? "Frost keyboards"?

    Oh, man, I want this guy if I'm ever in trouble with the law.
    --
    "The fight for freedom has only just begun." - Geert Wilders