DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions (theguardian.com)

Article summary

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is using an obscure law, 19 USC 1509, to obtain private information on journalists, non-profits, and unions without judicial oversight. The law, which deals with customs imports, is being used to demand records from social media and telecommunications companies. The DHS has used this method to obtain information on individuals and organizations, including a journalist who was not notified of the request for her information. This practice has raised concerns about government overreach and the erosion of privacy rights.

Main themes

• government overreach
• privacy rights
• corporate responsibility
• judicial oversight
• national security
• free speech
• transparency and accountability

What commenters say

• Companies have a moral obligation to protect user privacy, even if it means challenging government requests for information.
• The use of 19 USC 1509 to obtain private information is an abuse of power and a threat to democracy.
• Corporations are primarily motivated by profit and will prioritize their interests over moral considerations.
• Individuals have limited recourse against government requests for their personal information, and the legal system often favors those with more resources.
• Some companies, like Google, have pushed back against government requests for information, demonstrating that it is possible for corporations to prioritize user privacy.
• The fiduciary duty of corporate officers is often misunderstood as requiring them to prioritize profits over all else, but this is not necessarily the case.
• The government's use of 19 USC 1509 is part of a larger pattern of attempting to evade judicial scrutiny and undermine privacy rights.
• Small platforms and individual actions, such as using alternative services or obtaining one's own IP range, may be necessary to protect privacy in the face of government overreach.