Twitter Files Suit over National Security Data

Twitter Files Suit over National Security Data

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Oct 09, 2014

Social media giant Twitter Files Suit over National Security DataTwitter is stepping up, challenging a tangled web of gag orders and secrecy rules by filing suit against the Justice Department. Twitter feels that their First Amendment right has been violated with restrictions forbidding them to disclose the number of national security letters and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court orders it receives. Even if that number happens to be zero, Twitter is currently not allowed to report this.

Obviously, Twitter receives national security-related requests for user data or they wouldn’t be making such a big deal about not being able to report the actual numbers. Instead, they must report in broad ranges.

Ben Lee, Twitter vice president, hopes the outcome of the hearing is that Twitter will be able to publish the full version of a transparency report prepared this year, including the now forbidden details. He believes that Twitter should be entitled, under the First Amendment, to respond to their users’ concerns about the scope of U.S. government surveillance.

People who are against what Twitter is doing say that national security could be at risk if data such as this is published, while supporters of Twitter say that the government should not be allowed to prohibit the publication of truthful speech about government actions.

What about you, readers? Do you support Twitter’s lawsuit or do you think they should not be able to publicly report this data in the name of national security?

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Collaboration Made Easy Using a Work Management Platform

    Effective collaboration between security operators, teams and other departments is critical to the smooth functioning of organizations. Yet, as organizations grow in complexity, it becomes more difficult for teams to coordinate with each other. This is compounded by staffing shortages, turnover and ineffective collaboration tools. Read Now

  • Creating a Safer World

    Managing and supporting locks and door hardware within a facility is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging. Read Now

  • Creating More Versatility

    Today, AI has become top of mind for most security professionals. It is the topic of conversation in the technology world and continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. Read Now

  • Report: 78 Percent of CISOs Seeing Significant Impact from AI-Powered Cyber Threats

    Darktrace recently unveiled its 2025 State of AI Cybersecurity report. The findings reveal that 78% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) surveyed say that AI-powered threats are having a significant impact on their organizations, a 5% increase1 from 2024. While an increasing number of CISOs report feeling a significant impact from AI threats, more than 60% now say that they are adequately prepared to defend against these threats, an increase of nearly 15% year-over-year. However, insufficient AI knowledge and skills and a shortage of personnel and talent continue to be listed as the two top inhibitors to a successful defense. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities