Justice Department Demands 1.3 Million IP Addresses Related To Anti-Trump Website (theverge.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: In a blog post today, online web hosting provider DreamHost disclosed that it has been involved in a months-long legal battle with the Justice Department over records on visitors to an anti-Trump website. The dispute focuses on a Justice Department demand for information on data related to disruptj20.org, which describes itself as a group of activists "building the framework needed for mass protests to shut down the inauguration of Donald Trump and planning widespread direct actions to make that happen." DreamHost is taking issue with a warrant issued by the department for "all files" related to the website, which DreamHost says would compel them to turn over electronic data like visitor logs. That would include IP addresses and other information that could be used to identify anyone who visited the site. "The request from the DOJ demands that DreamHost hand over 1.3 million visitor IP addresses -- in addition to contact information, email content, and photos of thousands of people -- in an effort to determine who simply visited the website," the company said in its blog post. The warrant, DreamHost argues, would also require it to hand over any communications that are even tangentially related to the website.

"In essence, the Search Warrant not only aims to identify the political dissidents of the current administration, but attempts to identify and understand what content each of these dissidents viewed on the website," the company said in a legal filing arguing against the warrant. A hearing on the situation is set for Friday in Washington, DC Superior Court.

Comments

And so it begins.....correction... continues

[sp4ni3l]

However: Would like a little bit more background here. Too much conspiracy theory going on now..

Re:And so it begins.....correction... continues

[CohibaVancouver]

How much more of this nonsense does any remaining GOP member need before they really understand the insanity they foisted on America.

The GOP members of congress aren't going to turn until the Trump-supporting voters in their districts turn.

Until then it's Heil Trump!

To these cowards, re-election is more important than anything else.

Re:And so it begins.....correction... continues

[CohibaVancouver]

(remember, the rally was to save a historic monument from being erased)

Ah, so that's what those scumbags waving Nazi flags and chanting "Jews will not replace us" were trying to do.

Thanks for clarifying, Anonymous Coward.

Fishing expidition...

[wbr1]

On its face this warrant seems overly broad. If you are looking for bad actors who actually threatened or cause physical harm/disruption - then use regular police work to fid that out.

Simply sniffing out all who disagree with the current administration (raises hand), and would protest it (raises other hand), stinks of police state tactics.
Now, why are both my hands in the air again?

Yeah...

[Kierthos]

This clearly isn't an incredibly broad overreach by an administration that shows that it hates being questioned or criticized at all.

Oh shit, did I have sarcasm enabled?

Re:The Rise of the Violent Left

[Anonymous Coward]

So, that's a valid excuse for this abuse of Executive power? This dragnet?

Yeah, let's ignore the violent right wing assholes in Charlottesville.

And let's ignore the fact that you are using violence as an excuse for the implication of eradication of our rights - the weapon of the right wing. "Oh noes!! Terrorists - violence! Let's eliminate our civil liberties!!"

Keep in mind sir, that as we chip away at the First and Fourth amendment, it weakens the Second - the Second is just for show now. The government KNOWS everyone who got the guns . The storm troopers from the DOJ will raid the houses with the guns, take them, and good luck in the courts.

And as far this issue is concerned, you can bet good money that the courts will eventually side with the government - they usually do - even in "liberal" areas.

Watch this space

[PopeRatzo]

The Trump administration is collecting the names of these people so he can finally prove there were actually 1,3 million people at his inauguration.

And what's missing from your post

[Nidi62]

And what's missing from your post? That of those 230 people arrested some were journalists, lawyers, and medics, not protesters. DC police basically cordoned off areas and indiscriminately arrested everyone there. Which you seem to happily leave out.