Mixed Court Victory for Miranda as He Fights 'Frightening' Interrogations, Seizures

David Miranda won a limited court victory against the UK when the High Court issued a ruling Thursday that prohibits the government and police from “inspecting, copying or sharing” the data that was forcefully taken from him while he was passing through Heathrow airport on Sunday, except for where it is used to ‘protect’ national security and/or determine whether the claimant is connected with terrorism.

The ruling means that the data can be used to investigate alleged links to terrorism—which free press advocates charge would be a preposterous move aimed at intimidating and silencing journalists—but cannot be used for a criminal investigation.

The Metropolitan police had previously launched a criminal investigation against Miranda, the Guardian reports, but did not give details of the case.