Judge Blocks Subpoena to Unmask Instagram Activists Opposing ICE

A federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily blocked a government attempt to expose the identities behind six Instagram accounts that publicly identified a Border Patrol agent linked to summer raids in Los Angeles. The Department of Homeland Security had subpoenaed Meta, demanding names, emails, and phone numbers of the account holders. But activists, supported by groups like the ACLU of Northern California, fought back. Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse issued the order, writing, “Pending resolution of this motion, the Court now orders Meta not to produce the requested information without further order of the Court.”

For the activists, the ruling was a crucial shield. Joshua Koltun, attorney for the Long Beach Rapid Response Network (LBRRN), said, “We are grateful that the Court took prompt action to prevent the irreparable injury to Long Beach Rapid Response if she had been stripped of her anonymity.” Another activist, identified as J. Doe, explained, “I’ll be able to sleep tonight without worrying that government agents are going to come pounding at my door simply for exercising my First Amendment rights.”

Attorneys stressed the constitutional stakes. Matthew Kellegrew of the Civil Liberties Defense Center noted that Meta, as the subpoenaed party, “appeared willing to comply without any thought for the constitutionality of the request.” He emphasized that it fell on individuals, with limited time and resources, to challenge the subpoena. “Meta is in the best position to resist providing this information,” he said, adding frustration at how the company gave users just 10 days to respond in court.

Technical mishaps deepened the concern. LBRRN revealed in filings that it never received Meta’s notice due to a “technical difficulty.” This left activists scrambling to coordinate legal action and protect their ability to organize online without harassment or retaliation.

Link: The Intercept