Wikileaks Payback - Offensive and Defensive

[Magda Hassan]

Below is the statement/open letter from Anonymous, on the news that Twitter received a subpoena from the American government to release information on Wikileaks' accounts.
To Twitter

To Whom It May Concern


Society finds itself at a crossroads. In our increasingly connected world, many seem to think that our constitutional rights are fit for reevaluation. As was demonstrated by Jessica Yellin's performance on CNN, even some journalists seem to think that is now a crime to publish confidential information, ignorant not only of the important role that documents such as the Pentagon Papers have had in shaping modern government, but also of the First Amendment.

The Department of Justice's subpoena (http://goo.gl/L1sCp) is but the latest in a series of assaults on our free society. The salient point is that Twitter was not used as a platform to distribute confidential information, nor was it used to broadcase hateful messages. The only crime that the users of the accounts named committed was to voice their opinion. For the DOJ to seek access to the personal details, network addresses, and session information of those users is not just unconstitutional, but quite frankly terrifying.

Twitter has revolutionized the way that people communicate, and has been celebrated as an agent of change. What type of message will it send if you were to divulge the personal details of people who have not commited any crime but speak their mind, to a government who fail to understand the zeitgeist. If you bow to these demands, you will be setting a dangerous precedent, seriously impacting the future of network neutrality. You can rest assured that your users will not forget if you were to give in now.

Although Twitter and Anonymous have had our grievances in the past, we (AnonOps) pledge to fully support your organisation if you will choose to fight this subpoena.

Yours Faithfully

Anonymous
We do not forgive. We do not forget.

c/o: AnonOps.ru To Department of Justice

To Whom It May Concern

We are regretful of your actions to attempt to retrieve information from Twitter about the account belonging to "Wikileaks", as by doing so you are attempting to remove the anonymity of the poster and by extension, their right to speech. We are confused as to why you have brought such a subpoena against Twitter, as there is little information you will gain from these details, leaving comments and observations on the world are to our understanding; not a criminal offence

Is this not the same type of action that you, DOJ, find reprehensible in other countries? How do you justify the same action in the US? No crime has been committed yet you assume that the populace at large will just "roll over" as always and allow this intrusion.

The time has come for the people of the world to take an active part in governing their own lives and freedoms. The world must become aware that its freedoms are in jeopardy. Today, Twitter, tomorrow, what? Recent events have shown that people are becoming tired of being treated this way. Why push an unwinnable confrontation when working for the same goal is always more productive (learn from history).

The US Government expressed concern over the Tunisian Government's actions when they attacked protesters' Facebook accounts. Is there a difference here? They attack and you use the "law" (loosely defined) to in essence do the same thing. What's the possible difference? Your motives are the same.

Yours Faithfully

Anonymous
We do not forgive. We do not forget.
c/o: AnonOps.ru