Chevron Granted Access to Activists' Private Internet Data | Hacker News Reader

Chevron Granted Access to Activists' Private Internet Data

commondreams.org

68 pointsbtilly10 comments

Note that the reasoning under which this happened is exactly the same as the NSA's reasoning - as long as they don't know that the people are Americans, they don't think the 4th applies.

Excellent point. And how are the anonymous activists supposed to prove that they're US citizens without revealing their identities?

And just as with the NSA's reasoning, there's no protection for non-US citizens.

Also worth highlighting: any mechanisms Microsoft (or other companies) build in to allow the NSA access to data also have the side effect of allowing access to that data in this situation. Of course as they keep pointing out they only disclose data in response to a court order. But when the courts are granting subpena's like this, that's not a big comfort.

I was thinking the same. What a cynical and self-serving argument, given that these people were acting anonymously. This back-handed ruling effectively puts an end to anonymity and the judge knows it.

If it is determined that any of these people are U.S. citizens, then they should be able to sue for violation of their first amendment rights. Further, any information obtained via the subpoena should be inadmissible since it would have been obtained illegally.

Better still, why do we accept a double standard for U.S. vs. non-U.S. citizens in cases like these, if we are supposed to be the beacon of justice and democracy for the world?

Personally, I'm floored... On one hand we chastise everyone around the world for attacks on activists/suppression of free speech and talk up our high morals, then on the other hand we do the same damn thing, just to further corporate objectives, as opposed to internal political ones.

The environmental issue is especially short-sighted, as damage to Ecuadorian rainforest will affect US mainland overtime.

Anyone know if there is any kind of appeals process or defense fund for these groups?

I for one, donate to the EFF; I'm honestly not sure if it is the best place to put the money, but every time I read an article that pisses me off like this, they seem to be the ones defending the right side.

It pisses me off to no small extent that the best I can say when China issues their yearly report on US humanitarian abuses is, "yeah, pretty much...."

For anyone who thinks Corporations are not becoming to powerful please think a little more on it.

Puts this recent statement in context:

"Carney is asked about the involvement of Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International in defending Snowden.

Carney praises the work of those organizations. However "Mr Snowden is not a human rights activist or a dissident," Carney says, but a leaker of highly classified state secrets who faces three felony charges."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/12/edward-snowden-t...

What are the grounds given by Chevron for the conspiracy ? It would have been interesting to know from the article.

The ruling is here (PDF): http://dg5vd3ocj3r4t.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/docu...

It's not copy-pastable, but Chevron's argument starts on page 8.

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