Just a few hours ago it became apparent that Twitter had been ordered by a U.S federal judge to provide information on key Wikileaks members using the social network.
Twitter must disclose any data associated with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, but also Bradley Manning (the U.S Army private who leaked confidential cables) and other key members of the Wikileaks organisation.
The information the court expects to be handed over include “subscriber names, user names, screen names, mailing addresses, residential addresses”.
Twitter has responded to the requests, a spokesperson commenting:
“We’re not going to comment on specific requests, but, to help users protect their rights, it’s our policy to notify users about law enforcement and governmental requests for their information, unless we are prevented by law from doing so. We outline this policy in our law enforcement guidelines.”
Calling all Scaleup founders! Join the Soonicorn Summit on November 28 in Amsterdam.
Meet with the leaders of Picnic, Miro, Carbon Equity and more during this exclusive event dedicated to Scaleup Founders!
Kara Swisher, editor of the popular AllThingsD blogspoke with Twitter CEO Disk Costololast night at CES in Las Vegas, the executive touched on the issue but wasn’t able to specifically detail any information about the case. However, he did note that he disliked government mandates to keep things quiet, also pointing out Twitter’s desire to provide a way for people with useful information to connect.
Salonis reporting that the documents concentrate on three individuals connected with the Collateral Murder video, a video leaked to Wikileaks that showed a U.S helicopter pilot shooting unarmed members of the press in Baghdad. The report also notes that Wikileaks intends to contest the order.
The Justice Department has not commented on the issue, you can also find below a copy of the order (via Salon):
Story byMatt Brian
Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him on Twitter, subscribe to his updates on Facebook and catch up with him(show all)Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him onTwitter, subscribe to his updates onFacebookand catch up with him onGoogle+.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
