SAN JOSE, Calif. _ Seeking to protect government critics using its platform, Twitter on Thursday sued two federal agencies trying to pry into confidential user information behind an account critical of the Department of Homeland Security.
The suit claims DHS and Customs and Border Protection are trying to illegally use investigative tools to force Twitter to reveal the identity of the users behind the account @ALT-USCIS, also known as @ALT Immigration.
Attorneys for the social media company said the investigation crossed the line of government impeding free speech. The Twitter account has been critical of President Donald Trump and his immigration policies.
"The rights of free speech afforded Twitter's users and Twitter itself under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution include a right to disseminate such anonymous or pseudonymous political speech," the suit said. "In these circumstances, Defendants may not compel Twitter to disclose information regarding the real identities of these users without first demonstrating that some criminal or civil offense has been committed."
The court case produces an early showdown between a Silicon Valley social media force and the Trump administration seeking to root out critics. Trump and leading Republicans have lashed out against anonymous leakers, even as administration insiders are credited in a steady stream of anonymously sourced stories to national media.
Both agencies declined to comment on the lawsuit.
The ACLU applauded Twitter for the action.
"We'll be going to court to defend this user's right to anonymous speech," the civil rights organization tweeted.
