Reddit Does Not Have to Share IP Addresses of Users Who Discussed Pirating, Judge Rules

Reddit refused to share the IP addresses of users who posted piracy-related comments, arguing it would violate the First Amendment.

The Reddit app is shown on a phone, on July 13, 2021. Dado Ruvic/Reuters

Reddit does not have to comply with a subpoena demanding the IP addresses of six users who anonymously discussed pirating movies on the website, a federal magistrate judge ruled on Feb. 7.

In his ruling, Judge Thomas S. Hixson, of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argued the companies that subpoenaed Reddit had failed to show the private information they sought was available elsewhere.