FBI Backs Down To Internet Archive Digital Library

Washington (dbTechno) - The FBI has backed down, dropping a request for information on a user of the Internet Archive, a non-profit organization which stores web pages for purpose of making a digital library.

The FBI requested information from the Internet Archive in regards to one of its users back in November 2006.

When they refused to hand over the information, the FBI issued a National Security Letter which banned the founder, Brewster Kahle, from talking to anyone about the case except for his lawyers.

Kahle, instead of abiding by the wishes of the FBI, decided to fight back in court, and has done so successfully.

The FBI has backed down, lifting the gag order in place on Kahle. He was, needless to say, extremely happy about the result.

He stated that he was grateful that he can talk about what happened.

The goal is to teach other libraries about how to fight these types of demands.

This is not the first time the FBI has backed down when a National Security Letter request was challenged, it has happened a few times in the past.

Kahle put out a statement saying “The free flow of information is at the heart of every library’s work. That’s why Congress passed a law limiting the FBI’s power to issue NSLs to America’s libraries. While it’ snever easy standing up to the government, I knew I had to challenge something that was clearly wrong.”