The Town of Mount Pleasant does not have to disclose the names and email addresses of subscribers to its E‑news alert system.

The ruling by the state’s highest court reverses a lower court decision and ends a four‑year legal battle. Town resident James Russell sought the personal contact information of thousands of subscribers. A state supreme court judge and an appellate court had previously sided with him.

The Court of Appeals ruled the disclosure would be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy and serve no legitimate purpose.

The town supervisor said the court recognized the importance of protecting residents’ privacy.

News 12 has attempted to reach Russell but has been unsuccessful.