Reddit -Mods sued by YouTuber Ethan Klein Fighting Efforts to expose them – Slashdot

Alternative_right shares a report of 404 media: Critics of YouTuber Ethan Klein push back on subpoenas who would reveal their identity as part of a constant legal fight between Klein and his opponents. Klein is a popular creator of content whose YouTube channel has more than 2 million subscribers. He is also involved in a labyrinthian personal and legal beef with three other makers of content and the moderators of a subbreddit who criticizes his work. Klein has submitted a legal motion to force Discord and Reddit Unveiling the identities of those moderatorsA movement that, according to their lawyers, would jeopardize them and suffocate the free expression on the internet forever.

[…] On July 31, a judge allowed Klein’s lawyers Serve in a summons With Reddit and Discord who would reveal the identities of the people who would reveal R/H3Nark and a corresponding Discord server. On September 22, lawyers for the defendants a motion submitted To destroy the summons. “At first glance, the action is about copyright infringement,” said the last application. “In essence, however, the action is about suffocating criticism and the search for retribution by exposing individuals for observed reputation -damage toi [Klein’s production company] attributes [John Doe moderators] Not related to the intellectual property rights of TEI. ” […]

The anonymity of places such as Reddit and Discord grants a layer of protection to people who want to criticize power. This case could create a dangerous precedent, the lawyers believe. “If the court allows Tei’s summons to be able to impose a considerable price on the use of the vehicle of anonymous speech – including public exposure, real risks of retribution and actual damage, and the financial and other burdens of defending the action,” said the submission. The submission added: “Very few potential commentators are willing to bear the costs of this size. So if a word comes out that the price tag of criticizing Ethan is so high that speech will disappear. But that is exactly what Ethan wants small.”