[privacy] Subpoena for Web Users' Habits Leads to Jail for Newspaper Chiefs

["Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119281015526564975.html?mod=technology_main_
whats_news

MESA, Ariz. -- The leaders of an alternative newspaper chain were arrested
after running a story about grand jury subpoenas they received seeking
reporters' notes and information on who visits their Phoenix weekly's Web
site.

Michael Lacey, executive editor of Village Voice Media, and Jim Larkin, CEO
of the Phoenix-based chain, were arrested at their homes Thursday, the same
day their story was published in the Phoenix New Times, a free, weekly
alternative paper.

Capt. Paul Chagolla, a sheriff's spokesman, said Messrs. Lacey and Larkin
were arrested on suspicion of violating grand jury secrecy and that the
arrests came at the requests of the prosecutor.

The story, titled "Breathtaking Abuse of the Constitution," said Maricopa
County authorities want every story New Times has written about Sheriff Joe
Arpaio since Jan. 1, 2004, and all the notes, tapes and records of the
reporters.

The subpoenas also seek online profiles of anyone who read four specific
articles about Mr. Arpaio and profiles of anyone who visited the paper's Web
site since Jan. 1, 2004. Also sought was information on what Web users did
while on the site, the story said.

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