Merrill kept fighting this case, alongside the ACLU and with support from the EFF, and has now won his case, being the first NSL gag order to be lifted by a federal judge in the 14 years they have been issued, according to The Intercept. A
press release from the Calyx Institute, where Merrill serves as director, quoted his thoughts on this victory
“For more than a decade, the FBI has fought tooth and nail in order to prevent me from speaking freely about the NSL I received,” said Mr. Merrill. “Judge Marrero’s decision vindicates the public’s right to know how the FBI uses warrantless surveillance to peer into our digital lives. I hope today’s victory will finally allow Americans to engage in an informed debate about proper the scope of the government’s warrantless surveillance powers.”
The press release goes on to mention that the gag order is not yet out of effect, as the government still has 90 days to appeal the decision before Merrill can inform his users about the contents of the NSL, but this is certainly a positive step in the
direction of government transparency, and fits closely with the spirit of the 4th Amendment.
Source:
The Intercept
