La rottura tra Anonymous e WikiLeaks, consumatasi a colpi di tweet e comunicati su Pastebin, potrebbe rappresentare davvero la fine per l’organizzazione di Julian Assange. Prima di tutto, perché l’idea di mettere un ‘paywall’ – anche se, come hanno sottolineato in molti, bastava qualche piccolo accorgimento tecnico per scavalcarlo agilmente; e anche se WikiLeaks ha contestato la definizione – ha fatto storcere il naso perfino ai supporter più sfegatati, quelli su cui Assange ha sempre potuto contare per diffondere il suo verbo. Nelle parole dell’attivista @Asher_Wolf: «i paywall sono antitetici alla filosofia per cui tanti hanno messo la loro libertà a repentaglio». Senza di loro, il salto nell’irrilevanza mediatica – vicende giudiziarie e personali a parte – rischia di essere definitivamente compiuto. In secondo luogo, ma è un motivo strettamente collegato, perché tra quei supporter c’erano gli account e le community di Anonymous che non solo diffondevano le pubblicazioni e le istanze di WikiLeaks – e ora, molto probabilmente, non lo faranno più – ma anche e soprattutto hanno fornito il materiale all’organizzazione per le sue più recenti pubblicazioni; compresa una di quelle finite dietro il ‘paywall’ stesso, i GIfiles. Con la conseguenza di aggiungere al danno la beffa di ricevere in dono dei documenti cui poi si vincola l’accesso a un versamento in denaro. Con il nuovo sistema di ricezione dei documenti continuamente annunciato e sempre rinviato, e con il collettivo di hacktivisti non più a disposizione, come farà WikiLeaks a ottenere nuovo materiale? Da ultimo, c’è una terza ragione, la più dolorosa per chi – come il sottoscritto – ha creduto nel progetto di Assange: la perdita di credibilità. Un’organizzazione che si batte per la trasparenza e la libertà dell’informazione e continua a restare opaca nella sua gestione e vincola perfino il suo materiale al pagamento di una somma monetaria non è credibile. Così come non è credibile che lo faccia sotto lo slogan, provocatorio ma risibile, «vota con il tuo portafoglio». Insomma, la «fine di un’era» annunciata da @AnonymousIRC, non è segnata soltanto dalla fine del sodalizio tra hacktivisti – che ora scrivono le stesse cose del detestato Daniel Domscheit-Berg, il criticatissimo ex numero due – e Assange, ma forse soprattutto dalla fine dell’organizzazione di Assange. «Un’idea meravigliosa rovinata dagli Ego», scrive ancora l’account twitter – uno dei principali – di Anon; un «One Man Julian Assange Show», ribadisce nel comunicato che ne riassume la posizione su Pastebin. Tanto che c’è chi, come @Anon_central, scrive che è tempo che Anonymous produca dei leak da WikiLeaks. Ora il ‘muro’ è scomparso. Ma la questione è sempre la stessa: quella che in origine è stata la forza di WikiLeaks, cioè l’intraprendenza e il protagonismo di Assange, oggi ne è la sua più grande debolezza. Questo non significa dimenticare i soprusi subiti da WikiLeaks e dallo stesso Assange (oltre che dalla sua presunta fonte, Bradley Manning), dal blocco bancario alle accuse – assurde – che gli vengono mosse. Né ribadire che il principio per cui l’organizzazione è nata sia sacrosanto e vada difeso con tutte le forze. Ma forse è giunto il momento di prendere atto che questo tentativo ha fatto il suo tempo. E che è ora di organizzare i propri sforzi intorno a un progetto realmente trasparente, che non abbia bisogno di erigere ‘muri’ tra le informazioni e i lettori per difendere la sua sopravvivenza.
Wikileaks
Cinque cattive notizie per il libero web
Mentre in Italia si torna a discutere di leggi che minacciano la libera Rete (questa volta è il turno del ddl Butti), segnalo cinque notizie anche più preoccupanti provenienti dal resto del mondo:
1. Con il pretesto della sicurezza nazionale, il governo indiano sta predisponendo una «agenzia per il monitoraggio di Internet» che cercherà di controllare l’intero traffico web generato nel Paese, compresi tutti i tweet, gli status update e la mail scambiate – perfino in bozza.
2. Il Pakistan sta per adottare un sistema di filtraggio dei contenuti online che, con la scusa di contrastare lo scambio di contenuti pornografici, rischia di comportare la censura di circa 50 milioni di siti. Il filtro ricorda il terribile Great Firewall cinese, scrive l’Express Tribune.
3. Secondo un rapporto di Amnesty International pubblicato nelle scorse ore, la repressione del dissenso in Iran è sempre più severa – non ultimo a causa dell’attività di sorveglianza della ‘cyber-polizia’ entrata in funzione a gennaio 2012, che svolge il compito di «contrastare i crimini su Internet e combattere i social network che diffondono spionaggio e rivolte.»
4. Twitter ha inaugurato una partnership con l’impresa britannica Datasift che consente alle aziende interessate di immagazzinare i tweet prodotti dagli utenti negli ultimi due anni e analizzarli a scopi di marketing. Precedentemente il limite era di 30 giorni. Le organizzazioni per i diritti dei netizen Electronic Frontier Foundation e Privacy International hanno espresso preoccupazione per quello che viene definito «un cambio radicale nella direzione sbagliata.»
5. Dai Global Intelligence Files pubblicati da WikiLeaks si è appreso che vi sarebbe già un «atto di incriminazione coperto da segreto istruttorio» negli Stati Uniti per Julian Assange. A rivelarlo è una mail sottratta agli analisti di Stratfor.
Il tutto solo nelle ultime dodici ore.
WikiLeaks: Stratfor’s monitor guidance on Italy #gifiles
Stratfor‘s monitor guidance on Italy as revelead by WikiLeaks:
ITALY
Security:
– Organized Crime activity is still very much an issue in Italy that we need to look at.
– Anti-immigrant violence is on the rise and needs to be monitored.
– Union protests are not usually violent, but because of the economic recession and popular dissent among the left with the government of S. Berlusconi, we need to note it.
– There have been no Muslim terrorist attacks in Italy, but the country is definitely part of the terrorist network and has been mentioned in the past in AQ messages as a potential target.
– Any new anti-terror laws and legislation are of interest. Also anti-immigrant laws by the Italian government
Politics:
– Politics of Italy are incomprehensible. Keep abreast of what the main political actors are doing, it is key to watch for what is happening in Berlusconi’s Forza Italia (now called People of Freedom). Italian parties tend to mutate all the time, but it is vital to see if Berlusconi can maintain his grip on power despite some signs of wavering popularity.
– If the recession hits real hard, we need to look for a revival of the Lombardi independence movement.
International Relations:
– Italy has been a key U.S. ally in Iraq and Afghanistan. With Berlusconi in power this should continue, but we need to watch if Italy actually commits anything serious to the relationship.
– Berlusconi’s antics are starting to wear thin on the rest of Europe, does this matter in geopolitical terms? Probably not, but we nonetheless need to gauge how the rest of the EU is acting towards Italy.
– Italy and Russia have a solid relationship, ENI has very close links with Gazprom. Italy could very easily be Russia’s entry into the EU energy markets despite efforts at diversification.
– Italy is a major player in the Balkans, any moves that Italy makes in the region should be watched.
Economics:
– Despite its obvious dysfunction, North of Italy is in fact the richest region of Europe. We need to watch how Italian exports and industry are handling the global drop in demand. Serious trouble could develop for the country if Lombardia starts going under.
– Italian (Milanese) banks are some of the most powerful in Europe, with lots of links in industry and in Eastern Europe. However, they could also be in trouble due to exposure abroad.
– Italy’s ballooning deficit. We need to watch it and make sure that it is not overburdening the state. It does not appear that Italy can spend any more. What happens if it really can’t.
Source: wikileaks.org/gifiles
Sorveglianza digitale: la mappa dei contributi dell’Occidente ai regimi.
«Nei regimi autoritari in Medio Oriente e nel Nord Africa», scrive Bloomberg, «strumenti di sorveglianza occidentali hanno dato forza alla repressione, dando la possibilità ai leader di intercettare e-mail e messaggi testuali, così come di sapere costantemente dove si trovino i cittadini attraverso i loro telefoni cellulari. Armata di queste informazioni, la polizia in molti di questi paesi ora affronta regolarmente i dissidenti, durante arresti e torture, con registrazioni dei loro messaggi e dei loro movimenti, secondo un’inchiesta di 10 mesi di Bloomberg News».
Per tirare le somme, i giornalisti hanno deciso di comporre una straordinaria infografica interattiva, dove è possibile esplorare paese per paese quali aziende occidentali abbiano operato (o tentato di operare) nel mercato della sorveglianza digitale (già documentato anche dagli SpyFiles di WikiLeaks), senza curarsi più di tanto delle possibili conseguenze per i dissidenti digitali.
Di mezzo c’è anche Area Spa, l’azienda italiana che – prima di fare dietrofront e come ha scoperto proprio Bloomberg – aveva intenzione di vendere tecnologia per lo spionaggio digitale al regime siriano di Assad.
Come ho documentato su Digital Dissidence, di recente sia gli Stati Uniti che l’Europa sono intervenuti per avanzare proposte che vietino l’esportazione di queste tecnologie ai regimi e proteggano i dissidenti.
Fonte: The Surveillance Market and its Victims - Bloomberg News.
L’inchiesta di Bloomberg News, Wired for Repression.
Bradley Manning pre-trial hearing: first day.
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Almost 19 months have passed since Intelligence analyst Bradley Manning has been arrested in Iraq for allegedly leaking hundreds of thousands classified documents to whistleblowing site WikiLeaks. Detention has been harsh, «inhumane» until transfer from Quantico to Fort Leavenworth. More than 500 days without a trial. Until dec. 16, when an article 32 hearing took place at Fort Meade, Maryland.Manning’s attorney, David Coombs, called for the recusation of the Army’s investigating officer at the evidentiary hearing. As the New York Times reports,
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Hearing in Bradley Manning’s Case Begins
FORT MEADE, Md. – A defense lawyer for Bradley Manning, the Army private accused in the most famous leak of government secrets since the … -
«Lt. Col. Paul Almanza, the investigating officer who works as a Justice Department prosecutor in civilian life, was preventing the defense from calling witnesses to show that little harm was done by the disclosure of hundreds of thousands of confidential documents provided to WikiLeaks, the antisecrecy organization.»
«“All this stuff has been leaked,” Mr. Coombs said. “A year and a half later, where’s the danger? Where’s the harm?”».
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But the investigating officer refused to recuse himself and the hearing continued:
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“Judge at #BradleyManning hearing has REJECTED defence request that he recuse himself on grounds of bias. Case will continue
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Manning is facing the risk of life imprisonment. Alexa O’Brien (@carwinb) and Kim Zetter (@kimzetter) wrote on Twitter what has happened inside the courtroom, describing the situation in details. Several restrictions were in place:
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“Today, I felt like a witness to history. What an honor and privilege. #Manning
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“In the courtroom, 50 x 50 room. 4 small pews in gallery at back. (more on that later). #Manning
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“50 ppl in gallery. 20 media, 30 public. in theater out of 100 seats, 35 I was told. More expect tomorrow, Sunday etc. #Manning
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“Courtroom is small – about 50′ by 50′. Eight pews for spectators, some of them peace activists, other just interested in the legal issues
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“No food or beverages. No electronic or Rec devices. No firearms. No chewing gum. #Manning
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“There is no live tweeting. No recording or electronic devices are allowed in public viewing theater.
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“Soldier told me I will get in. Opens at 7am no one in line. I came back to car to smoke a cigarette. No gum allowed either. #Manning
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“One report says he was taking photo against rules; other report says he was Turkish cameraman who hadn’t registered to cover the hearing
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“Not live tweeting. Just tweeting during recesses – of which there are a lot today. Not allowed to file during sessions.
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“Not allowed to have cell phones, recorders, cameras in Manning media room. Computers okay for taking notes, but no filing during sessions.
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“Have to be escorted everywhere – from media center to courtroom and back. No computers allowed in courtroom. #Manning
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This is how they describe the Army private, who is turning 24 on dec. 17, when the hearing will begin with witnesses:
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“The prosecution has 20 witnesses, the defense has 4-5 witnesses in the #Manning case. The hearing begins with witnesses tomorrow.
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“#Manning was seated next to one of his military defense on entering courtroom. He did not engage at all, perhaps on advice.
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“He looked healthy, like he had an exercised upper physique. He only spoke to answer investigating officers answer, “Yes, Sir.” #Manning
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“Manning looks healthy. Sitting in courtroom now chatting w/ one of his attorneys waiting for session to resume.
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Similar remarks are made by the Washington Post, speaking of a «long-delayed military court case» against Manning:
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After 19 months in detention, soldier accused of leaking nation’s secrets appears in court
FORT MEADE, Md. — His baby face aged by 19 months in detention, the young soldier blamed for the largest leak of classified material in A… -
The article stresses how Manning behaved at the hearing:
«“Yes, sir,” Manning responded when asked if he understood the charges against him. “No, sir,” he said when questioned if he had any questions about them.»
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Family is not showing up, Zetter notes:
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“Not sure if Manning has any family here today. Haven’t seen his father. He hasn’t turned around to speak with anyone in the courtroom.
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Camille Elhassani (@celhassani) confirms:
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“Apparently no #Manning family members at the hearing, but there were some Occupy members there.
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Most reports talked about one attorney for Manning, Mr. Coombs. Zetter remarks he has three:
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“Manning has three attorneys – one civilian attorney (David Coombs) and two Army attorneys
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Kevin Gosztola liveblogged the pre-trial hearing on Firedoglake:
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Bradley Manning Pre-Trial Hearing: Live Blog
The first day of Bradley Manning’s pre-trial hearing is about to begin in the Meade Courthouse. Manning’s pre-trial hearing w… -
The Guardian did a liveblog too:
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Bradley Manning hearing – updates
11.01am: A producer for Al-Jazeera English, Camille Elhassani, complains on Twitter about the US army’s draconian rules for media coverag… -
The hearing sparked many reactions and comments. To Pj Crawley, the former US Assistant Secretary of State who resigned after saying that Manning was being «mistreated» by the DoD, this is a «vital prosecution»:
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PJ Crowley: A vital prosecution
Former US Assistant Secretary of State PJ Crowley tells the BBC he believes it is right to prosecute Bradley Manning on charges of leakin… -
John Gerstein, on Politico, notes that Manning’s case amounts to «a legal black hole». And makes many other interesting remarks on the lack of transparency of US authorities, who refused to give the full set of filings from the Army to Politico after the news organisation filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act:
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Transparency lags as Bradley Manning case opens
After more than 18 months, the veil on the military’s case against Private Bradley Manning is set to be pulled back a bit Friday, as a pu… -
Al Jazeera writes: «The US government has made an example of Bradley Manning to prevent others from challenging the American empire.»
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No justice for Bradley Manning
Washington, DC – Private Bradley Manning was just 22 years old when he allegedly leaked hundreds of thousands of US State Department cabl… -
To WikiLeaks supporters, Manning is «a hero»:
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“Manning will go down as a hero in American history | RT rt.com/news/bradley-mannin… #wikileaks #freebrad
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The word even appeared at the end of the hearing:
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“After the hearing adjourned, someone in the audience yelled, “Bradley #Manning you’re a hero.” The man was escorted out.
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But Manning didn’t respond:
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“#Manning didn’t respond when the protester burst out in the hearing. He was a Veterans for Peace person.
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The same thinks famous whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers published in 1971. Ellsberg has been interviewed by Democracy Now to update on a rally in support of Manning outside the base where the hearing took place:
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Bradley Manning: Famed Whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg on Alleged WikiLeaks Soldier’s 1st Day in Court
Alleged U.S. Army whistleblower Private Bradley Manning is scheduled to make his first court appearance today after being held for more m… -
Veterans and Supporters of Bradley Manning Demonstrate at Gates of Fort Meade HearingFORT MEADE, MD–(ENEWSPF)–December 16 – Eighteen months after he was first detained on accusations of revealing information to WikiLeaks…
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Glenn Greenwald, who’s been following the Manning case from it’s early steps, thinks the Army private deserves a medal, not prison:
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Glenn Greenwald: The Heroic Bradley Manning Faces 30 Charges, Some Punishable By Death — Why He Deserves a Medal Instead |The real crimes exposed by this episode are those committed by the US government, not Manning. After 17 months of pre-trial imprisonment,…
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Some are troubled:
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“#BradleyManning trial has closed for the day. Day One, and we’ve got nowhere. Hey ho
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While Jeff Jarvis (@jeffjarvis) highlights:
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Plus, as the BBC notes, there might be an Assange link:
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Wikileaks suspect is due in court
A US Army analyst suspected of leaking government secrets is set to make his first military court appearance. Bradley Manning faces charg… -
Manning’s support network has scheduled an International Day of Solidarity on dec. 17. Events are planned all over the world:
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Bradley Manning Support Network
OWS to Occupy Fort Meade in solidarity with Bradley Manning for his pre-trial hearing and 24th birthday Email ows4bradley[at]gmail.com to… -
Some of the many accounts referring to Anonymous and Lulzsec have a better idea on how to celebrate Manning’s birthday, though:
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“How to celebrate Bradley Manning’s birthday? By exposing more previously unpublished secret government documents, of course. #antisec
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“How to celebrate Bradley Manning’s birthday? By exposing more previously unpublished secret government documents, of course. #antisec
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The pre-trial hearing, according to the defence team, is expected to last 5 days.
