Facebook fights gagging order that prevents it telling users about US government search warrants

Currently barred from telling three of its users about government search warrants seeking to gain access to their information, Facebook is fighting back. The social network is challenging what it says is a threat to freedom of speech.

Documents filed at a Washington DC appeal court show that Facebook wants to notify the users about the warrants so they have an opportunity to object to them. The company cites the First Amendment in seeking to let users know about the warrants, at least one of which relates to protests against Donald Trump.

In a statement, Facebook said: "We believe there are important First Amendment concerns with this case, including the government's refusal to let us notify three people of broad requests for their account information in connection with public events."

This is not the first time Facebook -- and other technology companies -- has fought for the right to let users know about investigations that are being carried out into them, and there is not a great track record of success. Nonetheless, Facebook is pressing ahead with the case, and has the backing of not just the Electronic Frontier Foundation and American Civil Liberties Union, but also technology companies including Apple and Microsoft.

Facebook's supporters say:

The underlying warrants are apparently calculated to invade the right of Facebook’s users to speak and associate anonymously on a matter of public interest, and the First Amendment requires that the users be accorded notice and the opportunity to contest the warrants.

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