Ironically, this type of ham-handed behavior results in something good, that websites that permit commentary learn to automatically delete anonymous user metadata within a day after a post is made.
This works at two levels: it does permit source determination if there is a “clear and present danger”, a direct and tangible threat; but at the same time it effectively closes the recovery window so quickly that some egotistical politician or judge or whoever does not have the time to subpoena the data before it is deleted.
The downside is that it pushes subscription sites whose users have fixed metadata to make themselves more anonymous oriented. It would be unfortunate, and be a major hassle to sites like FR, that thrives on the free exchange of ideas between “polite people”, without a constant deluge of planted posts, trolls, political operatives, etc.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be setting our hair on fire over these subpoenas just yet.
Right. After all, it’s only the Jews….er…Libertarians…they are coming after. The rest of us are safe.
The DOJ = Ministry of Truth
This site needs to anonymize its user data. And start doing purges.