Covertly recording and releasing someone’s private texts sounds very illegal
Gaetz was either on a commercial airline or in an airport. I doubt there is a case for privacy rights. Similarly, there is no expectation of privacy when using free airport wifi. When you log into the public wifi, you sign an agreement to that end.
Republicans need to learn from this.
First, the incident from nearly 30 years ago with the GOP congressional conference call, including newly elected Speaker Newt Gingrich, should have told them everything they need to know about being surveilled for political purposes. Be. Very. Careful.
Second, pursue to the extent possible, perhaps with civil actions for invasion of privacy, the people behind this. Burn these people down to the ground financially. Start with the handle used on social media, then subpoena records from the airline for the identities of passengers sitting in the row behind. Bring civil actions that will drain their resources.
Third, adopt privacy protection approaches that minimize the likelihood of this kind of issue. They are out there, surveilling politicians and public figures they dislike, and they will resort to tactics like this. Neutralize it.
Obviously.
“Covertly recording and releasing someone’s private texts sounds very illegal”
It is his responsibility to create his own privacy, not the public’s to look away. Matt was careless if this report is true.