Sure, but the idea that tweets have an expectation of privacy, reasonable or not, is absurd.
From a PR point of view, Twitter did the right thing. They executed their right to challenge the subpoena. Now they have to begrudgingly hand over the data. It makes it look like they'll fight for their users, even though there's clearly nothing they can do.
The top comment, by Tangaroa, points to 18 USC 2703 which covers this. A company can be compelled to give that information.
You really find it odd that the government can force company X to turn over your ip address, name, email and other such information?
The concern over growing fascism comes from warrantless government behavior. This, on the other hand, seems completely within the realm of government acting properly.
You're right. I stand corrected. I found the article confusing, but maybe it's just me. If the judge agreed that the subpoena is inadequate, why did he still order Twitter to disclose all public and private data from September 15, 2011 to December 30, 2011? I guess some of those protections are based on a date range?
From a PR point of view, Twitter did the right thing. They executed their right to challenge the subpoena. Now they have to begrudgingly hand over the data. It makes it look like they'll fight for their users, even though there's clearly nothing they can do.