Demosthenes wrote:SteveSy wrote:Strange how they almost always ask for all their email lists after they're indicted. I guess they just want it for _____?
Prove it.
They don't really have to ask so the point is moot.
Unless they're managing their own email server and know how to vigorously protect it (both somewhat costly and unlikley) the list will be handed over by their ISP to almost anyone with a badge that smells of homeland security.
If on the odd chance they're managing their own and it's physically at a service provider hosting site, it's still not protected. Hosting companies aren't going to argue with the people in dark suits with no sense of humor they're aware of.
Keep in mind the ONLY real restriction on gathering information is the USE of it as evidence in a grand jury or trial setting. Obtaining it (even illegally) can be extremely valuable regardless of its use as evidence.
Even though a list of email subscribers will lead into all kinds of through-the-looking-glass rabbit holes, it becomes more and more useful after cross-matching with other databases.
Years ago it would have taken enormous computer resources to conduct this kind of analysis. Now the commercial providers of these services have the tools and technology to sell the results (or exchange them for other data elements) to the companies who want it and to agencies who are allegedly not supposed to do it themselves.
If you don't think this is what is going on, you really need to get up to speed on data privacy issues.