Doe et al. v. Ciolli, et al. is better known as the “AutoAdmit case”. This is a case brought by two women (Doe I and Doe II) against a group of people who allegedly engaged in libel against them on a website (AutoAdmit). If the allegations are true then the responsible defendants are really despicable people, but that’s really neither here nor there.

Doe II attempted to file a subpoena to obtain the account information of certain Defendants. One of them, Doe 21, moved to quash the subpoena, citing his right to privacy. The court rejected that argument stating:

Doe 21′s expectation of privacy here was minimal because AT&T’s Internet Services Privacy Policy states, in pertinent part: “We may, where permitted or required by law, provide personal identifying information to third parties. . . without your consent. . . To comply with court orders, subpoenas, or other legal or regulatory requirements.” Thus, Doe 21 has little expectation of privacy in using AT&T’s service to engage in tortious conduct that would subject him to discovery under the federal rules.

So, there you have it. You have no privacy right on the Internet unless your ISP grants it to you.