SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

WikiLeaks says has no link to cyber attacks

WikiLeaks said it had no links to cyber attacks on global companies seen as enemies of the website and neither supported nor condemned the online campaign.

wikileaks_101208_aap_1399377114

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Skip to article content

A statement on its website quoted Wikileaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson as saying the attacks were "a reflection of public opinion on the actions of the targets."

The loosely organised campaign to avenge WikiLeaks against those who have obstructed its operations, calling itself Operation Payback, has already temporarily brought down the websites of Visa and MasterCard, and of the Swedish government.

WikiLeaks noted the attacks were similar to those it had received since it began publishing the first of 250,000 U.S. leaked U.S. embassy cables on Nov. 28.

"These denial of service attacks are believed to have originated from an Internet gathering known as Anonymous. This group is not affiliated with Wikileaks. There has been no contact between any Wikileaks staffer and anyone at Anonymous," the statement said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"WikiLeaks has not received any prior notice of any of Anonymous' actions."

Some freedom of information campaigners who are sympathetic to WikiLeaks look askance at the Anonymous attacks, saying the website's cause cannot be furthered by denying the freedom of information to others.

A succession of U.S. institutions has withdrawn services from WikiLeaks after the website published thousands of sometimes embarrassing secret US diplomatic reports that have caused strains between Washington and several allies.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world