Gizmodo cooperates with investigation, iPhone search warrant withdrawn

Tech site Gizmodo said it has reached an agreement with California authorities over access to some computer and other material related to an investigation of how the technology website obtained a prototype of the new iPhone before it was released. In return, a search warrant has been withdrawn.

Shira Ovide of the Wall Street Journal writes, “Gizmodo and its parent company, Gawker Media LLC, had been resisting efforts by the district attorney’s office to search computers and other equipment seized from the home of Jason Chen, the Gizmodo editor who wrote about the iPhone prototype. Gawker had said that it was inappropriate for law-enforcement officials to seize materials from a news organization just with a search warrant, which news organizations can’t challenge in court.

“The San Mateo County judge overseeing the Gizmodo case on Friday ordered the search warrant to be withdrawn and the materials taken from Mr. Chen to be returned to him. Gawker Media Chief Operating Officer Gaby Darbyshire said Gizmodo has agreed voluntarily to give the district attorney materials that a court appointee ‘deems relevant to the case.’

“Chris Feasel, deputy district attorney for San Mateo County, said Friday that the investigation into Gizmodo is ongoing. ‘Mr. Chen and Gizmodo have agreed to cooperate with our investigation,’ he said.”

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