ACLU plaintiff Nicholas Merrill can finally speak about an FBI case that since 2004 has forced him to be known only as “John Doe” and has prevented him from talking about why the FBI had sent him a National Security Letter.

Merrill is president of an Internet service provider (ISP). The FBI wanted him to provide records about some of his company’s customers. He refused, and worked with the ACLU to challenge the NSL statute and the gag order. Merrill was the first person ever to challenge an NSL in court.

That lawsuit resulted in numerous court rulings finding parts of the NSL statute unconstitutional. Last week a settlement was reached with the FBI that allows Merrill to finally identify himself as the NSL recipient and the plaintiff in the lawsuit.

“To be honest, I’m having a hard time adjusting,” the 37-year-old Manhattan native told the Washington Post. “I’ve spent so much time never talking about it. It’s a weird feeling.”

Watch the video, “John Doe” Ungagged.

Read the Washington Post story about Merrill.

Read the (redacted) National Security Letter (NSL) that Merrill received.

Get more information about Merrill’s case, and NSLs, on the National ACLU Web site.