The government released details of their intelligence - gathering methods . A federal appeals court says such details remain off limits to public release . Some civil liberties groups have equated the methods to torture , and have argued that government and military officials should be held publicly accountable . Details would reveal ` ` highly classified , active intelligence activity , '' the court said . The plaintiffs could ask the Supreme Court to intervene .
The government released details of their intelligence - gathering methods . A federal appeals court says such details remain off limits to public release . Details would reveal ` ` highly classified , active intelligence activity , '' the court said . The plaintiffs could ask the Supreme Court to intervene .