Ahmed Shaikh v. Fox News Network, LLC

── Ahmed Shaikh v. Fox News Network, LLC ── Court: Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Date: June 04, 2026 Category: NEW USCA11 Case: 25-12004 Document: 71-1 Date Filed: 06/04/2026 Page: 1 of 8 FOR PUBLICATION In the United States Court of Appeals For the Eleventh Circuit ____________________ No. 25-12004 Non-Argument Calendar ____________________ AHMED SHAIKH, Plaintiff-Appellant, versus FOX NEWS NETWORK, LLC, PARAMOUNT GLOBAL, WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC., NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, Defendants-Appellees. ____________________ Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida D.C. Docket No. 6:24-cv-01894-WWB-RMN ____________________ Before NEWSOM, BRASHER, and TJOFLAT, Circuit Judges. USCA11 Case: 25-12004 Document: 71-1 Date Filed: 06/04/2026 Page: 2 of 8 2 Opinion of the Court 25-12004 PER CURIAM: Ahmed Shaikh, proceeding pro se, sued five media compa- nies for violating the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act (“ECPA”) and Florida’s Security of Communications Act and for committing the Florida torts of intrusion and intentional inflic- tion of emotional distress. He alleged both diversity jurisdiction and federal question jurisdiction. The media companies moved to dismiss, arguing, among other things, that the District Court lacked subject matter jurisdiction. The District Court agreed and dis- missed the case. We affirm. I. In a 267-page complaint, Shaikh alleged that while he was a student at St. Thomas University College of Law in Miami, Florida, professors at the school hacked his cell phone and laptop and in- stalled hidden cameras with audio capability in his apartment and car. Then, with the help of law enforcement, they disseminated re- mote access to the devices and hidden cameras to various busi- nesses. Shaikh later withdrew from law school and moved to Or- lando, Florida. He alleged that, similar to what occurred in Miami, workers installed cameras with audio capability in his Orlando apartment, and people and businesses in Orlando were given ac- cess to those cameras. Shaikh claimed that Fox News Network, LLC (“Fox News”); Paramount Global; Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.; NBCUniversal Media, LLC (“NBC”); and The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”) all illegally accessed the devices and cameras and used AI mind- USCA11 Case: 25-12004 Document: 71-1 Date Filed: 06/04/2026 Page: 3 of 8 25-12004 Opinion of the Court 3 reading technology provided by the federal government to read his thoughts. 1 As support for his claims, Shaikh explained, among other things, that various entertainment programs run by the media companies referenced phrases he had stated in his car, stated in Zoom interviews, searched on the internet, and typed in the com- plaint he was drafting for his lawsuits. They referenced specific songs he had listened to and memories he had. They showed im- ages that mirrored expressions he made, chose guests based on his thoughts, and chose sponsors based on his internet search history. People in the various entertainment programs wore clothing simi- lar to what he wore at home, engaged in actions simila