NSA Suit May Proceed
The federal judge overseeing the EFF -vs- AT&T case regarding alleged complicity in widespread warrantless government surveillance has ruled that the case may proceed. This is a landmark decision, mainly because the U.S. government’s argument that the suit could reveal state secrets, a rarely used claim that nearly always terminates a lawsuit, was completely dismissed.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker found that the program was not a secret since “public disclosures by the government and AT&T indicate that AT&T is assisting the government to implement some kind of surveillance program.”
“Dismissing this case at the outset would sacrifice liberty for no apparent enhancement of security,” Walker wrote.
This is extremely important because it allows the case to proceed, rather than merely being dismissed on the outset. That U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker was able to see through the rhetoric of the government lawyers speaks volumes. Though the war is far from being won, this small victory is extremely important as it allows the fighting to commence.
Every American should be keeping their eyes peeled to this case!