Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Google Files First Amendment Challenge Against FISA Gag Order

Posted by Soulskill on from the straight-to-the-top dept.

The Washington Post reports that Google has filed a motion challenging the gag orders preventing it from disclosing information about the data requests it receives from government agencies. The motion cites the free speech protections of the First Amendment. "FISA court data requests typically are known only to small numbers of a company’s employees. Discussing the requests openly, either within or beyond the walls of an involved company, can violate federal law." From the filing (PDF): "On June 6, 2013, The Guardian newspaper published a story mischaracterizing the scope and nature of Google's receipt of and compliance with foreign intelligence surveillance requests. ... In light of the intense public interest generated by The Guardian's and Post's erroneous articles, and others that have followed them, Google seeks to increase its transparency with users and the public regarding its receipt of national security requests, if any. ... Google's reputation and business has been harmed by the false or misleading reports in the media, and Google's users are concerned by the allegation. Google must respond to such claims with more than generalities. ... In particular, Google seeks a declaratory judgment that Google as a right under the First Amendment to publish ... two aggregate unclassified numbers: (1) the total number of FISA requests it receives, if any; and (2) the total number of users or accounts encompassed within such requests."

5 of 163 comments (clear)

  1. Trying to save face by udachny · · Score: -1, Troll

    Google is pretty big, they could have done this years ago, when they were approached by the NSA and whatever other acronym agencies to do this shit in the first place. AFAIC Google's image on this is horrendous, I don't see what they can do for me personally to ever trust the company not to provide gov't with information again. Maybe then can, but that would take something else, not words and assurances, a different approach to technology that would be verifiably secure from government snooping.

    --
    MY OTHER COMMENTS
  2. Google... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Anyone else disturbed by the big G's loud claims to be oh-so-good lately?

    _______________________
    Good Guy Google We Are.

    Logs Everything.
    _______________________

  3. It's PR by DougOtto · · Score: -1, Troll

    They're doing this, knowing full well they'll get denied, because it looks like they're "standing up for their users."

    Just smoke and mirrors.

    --
    Solving Unix problems since 1989...
    1. Re:It's PR by ColdWetDog · · Score: -1, Troll

      Yeah, Google is just pissed that the government is crowding in on their turf.

      Don't be evil, my ass.

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  4. Re: Uhm Yeah by hsmith · · Score: 1, Troll

    Lol, that's cute, you think the constitution still has bearing on anything in DC.