Judicial Watch sues for records of coronavirus-related communications between CDC, Big Tech

"The public has the right to know about CDC's involvement in Big Tech's outrageous censorship of Americans, including doctors, who raise questions about the COVID-19 response," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement.
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton on Feb. 28, 2021
By Alex Nitzberg

Judicial Watch has lodged a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in an effort to obtain records of coronavirus-related communications between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several prominent tech companies. 

"The public has the right to know about CDC's involvement in Big Tech's outrageous censorship of Americans, including doctors, who raise questions about the COVID-19 response," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement. "The Biden administration should stop stonewalling and release the records about the CDC's role in suppressing the free speech of Americans."

The watchdog organization is targeting HHS with the suit after the department did not reply to a September 15, 2020 FOIA request.

Judicial Watch is seeking: "Any and all records of communication between CDC officials and/or employees and employees, agents, and/or representatives of Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube concerning, regarding, or relating to COVID-19 related content on company platforms. Such records include, but are not limited to, any advice or instructions issued on disinformation re COVID-19."