WhatsApp Inc. et al v. NSO Group Technologies Limited et al

Filing 459

ORDER by Judge Hamilton denying 455 Administrative Motion. (pjhlc3, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/6/2024)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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United States District Court
Northern District of California

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WHATSAPP INC., et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
NSO GROUP TECHNOLOGIES
LIMITED, et al.,

Case No. 19-cv-07123-PJH
ORDER RE MOTION TO CLOSE
HEARING
Re: Dkt. 455

Defendants.

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Defendants have filed an administrative motion to close the courtroom to the

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public for the November 7, 2024 hearing on the parties’ cross-motions for summary

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judgment and plaintiffs’ motion for sanctions. See Dkt. 455. Plaintiffs have filed an

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opposition to the motion. See Dkt. 458.

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“Those who seek to maintain the secrecy of documents attached to dispositive

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motions must meet the high threshold of showing that ‘compelling reasons’ support

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secrecy.” Kamakana v. City and County of Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172, 1180 (9th Cir.

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2006). The “compelling reasons” standard is higher than the “good cause” standard

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applicable to non-dispositive motions. See id. (“It is important to emphasize the

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difference between the ‘compelling reasons’ standard and the ‘good cause’ standard.”).

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In connection with past, non-dispositive motions, the court has granted requests to

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close hearings to the public. However, based on the material presented in the briefs and

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in the accompanying motions to seal, the court does not believe that closing the

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courtroom for the November 7 hearing is justified under the applicable “compelling

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reasons” standard. Accordingly, defendants’ motion to close the courtroom for the

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November 7 hearing is DENIED.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated: November 6, 2024

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/s/ Phyllis J. Hamilton
PHYLLIS J. HAMILTON
United States District Judge

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United States District Court
Northern District of California

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