Two Stanford researchers have petitioned the federal court in San Francisco to unseal records of law enforcement ordering private companies to provide access to customer accounts. The researchers contend that secrecy surrounding the practice prevents the public from debating whether it is “lawful and appropriate.” (Ars Technica, Setember 30, 2016, by Cyrus Farivar)
The researchers are only requesting the records that should not be hidden from view, “Petitioners seek the unsealing of underlying materials only from cases where there is no longer any need for secrecy, e.g. the criminal investigation has terminated, the surveillance order…has expired, or charges have been filed. These records are public documents and should be publicly docketed and unsealed unless good cause exists on a case-by-case basis for continued secrecy based on the facts and circumstances of the individual matter.” (Petition to Unseal Technical Orders and Materials, September 28, 2016, petitioners Jennifer Grannick and Riana Pfefferkorn)