Twitter’s Resistance to Gag Order Called a “Remarkable Display of Backbone”

In January 2011, Twitter was applauded for its “remarkable display of backbone” in standing up for its users’ privacy and free speech rights by challenging the secrecy of a demand from the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ obtained a court order requiring Twitter to turn over those records about users associated with WikiLeaks, including contact and credit card information and the identities of other individuals who communicated with those users. The court also issued a “gag order” prohibiting Twitter from telling these users about the demand. However, Twitter fought back against the gag order and won, allowing the company to uphold its promise to notify users of government demands where legally possible.