Appeals Court Narrows Order for LinkedIn to Disclose Journalists’ Communications
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that a lower court's order for LinkedIn to disclose journalists' communications as part of a leak investigation must be narrowed, citing profound free-speech implications and the need to balance national security against press freedom.…
Orlando Daytona Beach Melbourne, FL, November 10, 2026 — A federal appeals court has modified a lower court’s directive for LinkedIn to provide journalists’ communications related to a leak investigation. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, emphasized the significant free speech implications involved in such disclosures.
The appellate panel determined that the original order was too broad. In its decision, the court stated that the “blanket” disclosure requirement was “substantially overbroad” and could potentially impede informed public discourse. The court acknowledged the critical need to balance national security interests with the principles of press freedom.
While the appeals court did not completely overturn the lower court’s order, it mandated that the scope of disclosure must be significantly narrowed. The case has been sent back to the lower court for further proceedings, with instructions to craft a more limited request for information.
The specifics of the leak investigation were not detailed in the ruling. Additionally, the identities of the journalists whose communications were subject to the original order and the exact nature of the proposed “more limited disclosure” were not provided. The court’s decision highlights the ongoing legal tension between government investigations and the protection of journalistic sources and activities.
Story summarized from the original created by Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press on www.clickorlando.com, see more information here.
