Judge doesn't trust DOJ with search of devices seized from Wash. Post reporter
Ars Technica
by
Jon Brodkin
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A federal judge has decided that the Department of Justice (DOJ) cannot be trusted to search devices seized from a Washington Post reporter. The court will conduct the search itself after discovering that key information was omitted from the warrant application by government prosecutors, including details about a 1980 law that limits searches and seizures involving journalists' materials. This decision came six weeks after the FBI executed a search warrant at the Virginia home of reporter Hannah Natanson. While the judge declined to immediately return the devices to the Post and Natanson, he ordered a court-led process to ensure the search is narrowly focused on material relevant to an ongoing criminal case against an alleged leaker who was in contact with Natanson.
The judge's decision highlights growing concerns about transparency and oversight in government investigations involving journalists. The warrant initially allowed the DOJ to review the seized data broadly, but the judge rescinded that portion of the warrant, signaling a shift toward greater judicial scrutiny of such searches. This move reflects increasing awareness of the importance of protecting journalistic sources and materials under the law.
This case matters for readers interested in tech and privacy because it raises critical questions about government access to digital devices and the safeguards in place to protect journalists' rights. The court's decision underscores the tension between national security interests and the need for transparency, particularly when it comes to media freedom. As digital investigations become more common, this ruling sets an important precedent for ensuring that searches of journalists' devices are conducted with appropriate oversight and limitations.
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Originally published on Ars Technica on 2/25/2026