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Twitter Will Hand Over Data On the User Who Sent a Seizure-Inducing Tweet To a Journalist (theverge.com)

Last week, an unidentified Twitter user tweeted a seizure-inducing animation at Newsweek and Vanity Fair writer Kurt Eichenwald, who has epilepsy. Now, Eichenwald has taken the first step toward identifying the user. In response to a civil suit filed by Eichenwald this week in Dallas district court, Twitter has agreed to hand over all relevant subscriber data for the user in question. The attack came in apparent retaliation for Eichenwald's aggressive coverage of President-elect Trump. From a report on the Verge: While Eichenwald has yet to file criminal charges, the civil suit was sufficient for an ex parte order from the district judge. Twitter subsequently agreed to expedited relief, declining to challenge the order or demand further evidence from Eichenwald. The next step is likely to be a lawsuit against wireless carriers or service providers implicated by Twitter's records, who will have records linking IP addresses and other metadata to the attacker's legal name.

2 of 492 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Um by crypticedge · · Score: 5, Informative

    You (and the summary) leave out some significant info.

    First - They've done this to him multiple times since September, knowing he has siesures
    Second - They've threatened to murder him, even left things on his doorstep
    Third - They broke into his Daughters school, leaving messages addressed to him threatening his daughter.

    Details are important, and this is far past the line for being able to prosecute criminally for harassment and threatening harm.

  2. Re:Sooooo by JonnyCalcutta · · Score: 5, Informative

    It will be hard to prove in court that the sender actually suspected a seizure would result.

    The attached message 'you deserve a seizure' might be pretty good evidence. Sorry to get in the way of your rant though.