Silent Subpoena Order for X Account Data Struck by DC Circuit

X Corp. convinced the DC Circuit to vacate a broad order forbidding disclosure about law enforcement’s subpoenas for social media account information, with the panel finding Friday a lower court failed to sufficiently review the potential harm of immediate disclosure.

The Stored Communications Act can prohibit internet companies from disclosing a subpoena for user records if a court determines that the revelation would pose a safety risk or harm an investigation.

The US government invoked a “bold exercise of that statutory authority” in this sealed case, Judge Bradley N. Garciaof the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit said ...