‘Anonymous’ Hacks SF B.A.R.T Site After Decision to Jam Protesters’ Phones
- Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:16am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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On Friday, The Blaze reported on U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron asking some social media sites to shut down the services of rioters trying to organize. We pointed to recent news of the San Francisco transit system (BART) jamming the cell phone service of protesters trying to organize there (as well as the president’s internet “kill switch”) and asked if the such actions in the name of restoring order could be coming here.
Then on Saturday, we looked even more in-depth at BART’s decision to jam service. And now, there’s been a response: not only has a BART director spoken out against the jamming, but the hacker group Anonymous retaliated by attacking thee transit system’s website and releasing the contact information of thousands of riders. And it could be just the beginning.
The action by Anonymous was the latest showdown between anarchists angry at perceived attempts to limit free speech and officials trying to control protests that grow out of social networking and have the potential to become violent.
Anonymous posted people’s names, phone numbers, and street and email addresses on its own website, while also calling for a disruption of the Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) evening commute Monday.
BART officials said Sunday that they were working a strategy to try to block any efforts by protesters to try to disrupt the service.
“We have been planning for the protests that are said to be shaping up for tomorrow,” BART spokesman Jim Allison said. He did not provide specifics, but said BART police will be staffing stations and trains and that the agency had already contacted San Francisco police.
The transit agency disabled the effected website, myBART.org, Sunday night after it also had been altered by apparent hackers who posted images of the so-called Guy Fawkes masks that anarchists have previously worn when showing up to physical protests.
The cyber attack came in response to the BART’s decision to block wireless service in several of its San Francisco stations Thursday night as the agency aimed to thwart a planned protest over a transit police shooting. Officials said the protest had been designed to disrupt the evening commute.
“We are Anonymous, we are your citizens, we are the people, we do not tolerate oppression from any government agency,” the hackers wrote on their own website. “BART has proved multiple times that they have no problem exploiting and abusing the people.”
Allison described myBART.org as a “satellite site” used for marketing purposes. It’s operated by an outside company and sends BART alerts and other information to customers, Allison said.
The names and contact info published by Sunday came from a database of 55,000 subscribers, he said. He did not know if the group had obtained information from all the subscribers, he said, adding that no bank account or credit card information was listed.
The BART computer problem was the latest hack the loosely organized group claimed credit for this year. Last month, the FBI and British and Dutch officials made 21 arrests, many of them related to the group’s attacks on Internet payment provider PayPal Inc., which has been targeted over its refusal to process donations to WikiLeaks. The group also claims credit for disrupting the websites of Visa and MasterCard in December when the credit card companies stopped processing donations to WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange.
BART’s decision to shut down wireless access was criticized by many as heavy handed, and some raised questions about whether the move violated free speech.
The problems began Thursday night when BART officials blocked wireless access to disrupt organization of a demonstration protesting the July 3 shooting death by BART police who said the 45-year-old victim was wielding a knife.
Activists also remain upset by the 2009 death of Oscar Grant, an unarmed black passenger who was shot by a white officer on an Oakland train platform. The officer quit the force and was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after the shooting.
Facing backlash from civil rights advocates and one of its own board members, BART has defended the decision to block cell phone use, with Allison saying the cell phone disruptions were legal because the agency owns the property and infrastructure.
“I‘m just shocked that they didn’t think about the implications of this. We really don’t have the right to be this type of censor,” Lynette Sweet, who serves on BART’s board of directors, said previously. “In my opinion, we’ve let the actions of a few people affect everybody. And that’s not fair.”
Laura Eichman was among those whose email and home phone number were published by the hackers Sunday.
“I think what they (the hackers) did was illegal and wrong. I work in IT myself, and I think that this was not ethical hacking. I think this was completely unjustified,” Eichman said.
She said she doesn’t blame BART and feels its action earlier in the week of blocking cell phone service was reasonable.
“It doesn‘t necessarily keep me from taking BART in the future but I will certainly have to review where I set up accounts and what kind of data I’m going to keep online,” Eichman said.
Michael Beekman of San Francisco told the AP that he didn‘t approve of BART’s move to cut cell phone service or the Anonymous posting.
“I’m not paranoid but i feel like it was an invasion of privacy,” he said. “I thought I would never personally be involved in any of their (Anonymous’) shenanigans.”
The group Anonymous, according to its website, does “not tolerate oppression from any government agency,” and it said it was releasing the User Info Database of MyBart.gov as one of many actions to come.
“We apologize to any citizen that has his information published, but you should go to BART and ask them why your information wasn’t secure with them,” the statement said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.





















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Comments (59)
RageAlmighty
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 12:01pmIt sounds like groups like Anonymous are playing the part of Robin Hood. The government thinks they are smarter than everybody else, it’s nice to see intelligent people be able to stand up to the government and do the things that others will not. If given the opportunity, the government will absolutely use an internet kill switch, I’m glad somebody like Anonymous is defending me against what the government wants to do to me. It‘s cyber warfare at it’s finest, the really smart computer hackers Vs. the ones who think they are smart in the Federal Government. The reason the government doesn’t like illicit and illegal hacking is because they hate competition.
Report Post »Dabldo
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 10:32pmA clear cut case of “Two wrongs don’t make a right”. Wish they could find another way to do these protests.
Report Post »insaneserenity
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 4:23pmBart did nothing wrong or illegal. Cell phones generally don’t work at all uinderground, but for some stupid reason Bart bought signal repeaters to allow them to. They can shut them off anytime they want. You do not have a right to use other people’s property at your will.
People are pathetic, thinking everything is a right. Free speech means you can talk, not you can use electronics to terrorize people. All of these ‘disruptions’ are terrorist actions.
Report Post »JediPatriot
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:35pmDo you really think that Anonymous “scared” people?
Report Post »ConsiderThis
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 10:45pmIf they’re not brought under control these self styled anarchists that are cropping up all over the world will bring about massive government controls on communications. They wear masks when protesting and invade people’s privacy anonymously on the internet but believe me the intelligence community can find them. I can‘t think of what to call them except social terrorists because in effect that’s what they are. They will ultimately bring upon society the very loss of freedoms they pretend to be defending. In democratic societies the way to affect change is through the ballot box. Too bad these misguided adolescent minded creatures can’t figure that out.
Report Post »JediPatriot
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 11:41pmSo in response to these horrible anarchists, the government slams down new rules and forces all of us to do as we are told……. Wouldn’t that also be considered terrorism?
Report Post »“Don’t do as we tell you, you go to prison! Or we shoot you in the back! Or we stun you with our tazers!”
Wake up, people.
scruffycat
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 2:45pmword up man. these little punks today that think they have some “right” that their stupid cell phone must work everywhere are a bunch of little whiney spoiled entitlement happy punks. Freedom of Speech means that you can peaceably assemble somewhere and address a group of people with your mouth. If the subway turns off their cell repeaters because a bunch of dumb flashmob punks with nothing better to do in their brain addled lives than terrorize and riot so be it. I think they ought to get the SWAT teams out there with their truncheons and tasers and break a few skulls. Maybe then some of these punks would realize that the USA is a corporation and severe interruptions to the gross national product will not be tolerated. get a job.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:21pmThese hackers give legit hackers a truly bad name, they are techno-terrorists!!!
Report Post »NO YOU CANT
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:16pmThe hackers should be arrested- but so too should the people in government who decided to jam our signals.
Report Post »Today they jam to “prevent” flash-mobs, tomorrow they jam to prevent “right wing tea partiers”. Then of course, when a Republican gets elected he can use it to prevent “left wing radicals”.
Free speech is free speech- period.
Tyranny is tyranny – period.
The Internet -just like phones- should be off limits to Government intervention. If you’re worried about someones “activities”, then find probable cause and get a warrant- just like the Constitution says.
rrjenn
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 3:14pmNO YOU CANT says
Report Post »“Free speech is free speech- period. Tyranny is tyranny – period. The Internet -just like phones- should be off limits to Government intervention.” If you try to use free speech to bring down even the smallest part of government, you are a terrorist and should be lined up and shot. By using cell phones, facebook, or twitter to disrupt services then you are just giving the government the right to pull one more freedom in their quest to serve and protect. How stupid does it get for these people? Maybe they don’t mind the idea of a police state? Could that be an agenda by some of their leaders? There are many people who would love to see that done.
JediPatriot
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:38pmRJENN, Have you read the Constitution? WE are supposed to own the government. Not vice-versa. The FCC has the ability to “jam” communications at will and everyone is ok with that? If so, then I guess we deserve what we get.
Report Post »scruffycat
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 1:42pmWhat I wonder is how a group that for years and years specialized in harrassing the Church of Scientology, Furries, and people that kill cats, morph into an international Uber Haxor group that is terrorizing governments around the globe in the span of about 6 months. Lulzsec, the breakaway group must have assumed by default the name of Anon now. I wonder how the original Anon feels about that?
Report Post »Kodiakman
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 11:45am“The action by Anonymous was the latest showdown between anarchists…”??? Anarchists? If speaking out against government oppression is anarchist then most of the people that comment on this board could be considered an anarchist. Beck explains it on the chalk board best IMO. Governments lay on a scale between anarchy and totalitarianism. Our constitution was written to try and create a government as close to the anarchy end as possible without actually having anarchy. Our government has “progressed”so far to the other end of the scale (Fascists, Communists and Socialists) that groups like anonymous are a natural and inevitable result. Just because they want less government control doesn’t make them anarchists.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 1:24pmI think they are government sponsored.
Report Post »I Love Howie Carr
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 11:37amHave you been to their website? Talk about preachy! I don’t need Anonymous or anyone else to preach at me and tell me what to do, while they simultaniously whine that everyone is telling THEM what to do. Boohoo your job is boring, poor babies, better go hack a website.
Report Post »warloch
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 11:16amThe manchild Marxist Obama regime and the liberals in congress are allowing this international liberal terrorist group to control and attack our country. What this terrorist group has and is doing is an act of war and should be delt with as such but that will never happen as long as liberals in charge of our country want to destry our country themselves.
Report Post »:-)
gmoneytx
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 11:00amThe fed. Gov. is in the gym flexing it’s muscles and getting stronger, this was just another display of what will the reaction be of the American people when an issue like this occurs.
I’d bet everyone that rode the bus before this happened is still riding it today, if you really want to protest, get the community to come together and boycott the transit system of BART
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 10:53amThose Nazis killed Oscar Grant execution style.
The trash only got 2 years sentence, and only served 8 months of it IN COUNTY JAIL, not PRISON.
Corrupt system = Corrupt cops.
Report Post »Skee
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:33pmVman,
Report Post »I’ve seen the video. The cop grabbed his gun instead of tazer and like an idiot did’nt check what he was holding before he used it. I seriouly doubt he meant to shoot an unarmed man on the ground that wasn’t cooperating, in front of hundreds of people. Kill the pigs, right. Government limiting access to phone and internet is unconstitutional no matter who’s side your on. Tearing down your city in protest is moronic, but go right ahead, just like the riots in England, turned out great. Just remember who the people are trying to take away your rights in S.F. The most liberal city tends to elect the most liberal jackholes. Guess who extended the patriot act but railed against it three years ago. Could it be Obama,Pelosi and Reid. It‘s almost like they’ll say anything to gain power then turn around and expand they’re control.
JediPatriot
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:45pmSKEE,
Report Post »What do you think would happen to you, if you pulled a gun and shot a man, in the back, in self-defense? The police are supposed to be trained to use a taser for NON-LETHAL self-defense. The guy was on the ground. Resisting arrest does not warrant a shot in the back with a taser. Tasers are used in place of guns. At least that was the intention. Cops now use them as cattle prods. Use a taser against a cop and see if they don’t get you for using a deadly weapon.
Peace
affinnity
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 10:27am‘Anonymous’
http://www.whatis-theplan.org/
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3×8cLfnITLc&feature=related
HotBreakingStory
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:56amLike many totally made up stories in the news this appears to be part of another Psy-ops project.
Osama Obama Biden Bin Laden
One coincidence? Two coincidences?
NO COINCIDENCE
A military coup d’etat began in 2008 with the introduction of Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate.
Obama is not the president, he’s the acting president. He disappeared for 2 weeks after his election win only to reappear looking exhausted sitting next to John McCain, with a bad poker face, for a press photo shoot. Obama is now a Pentagon puppet. Who did you think writes his teleprompter?
This is the real story that the media is not and cannot report on. Here’s what Obama, Osama, Biden, Bin Laden, the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists, and Sarah Palin had to do with the last election and the military’s overthrow of our government.
http://alturl.com/7nt8x
Report Post »MrKnowItAll
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:53amGet a Horse. Invest in the NEW Pony Express. What Man Can make, Man Can Break!
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:34amThis is just the beginning. Look past the hacking issue and focus on the underlying issue. Our government is looking for a way to get ahold of a “kill switch” They are working on a bill as we speak to give the Tyrant in Chief the ability to have one – in the event of an emergency (undefined). Some in the WH have proposed having a kill switch in automobiles that would shut off cell service while the vechicle is running. While I do not agree with the hackers I do believe shutting off cell phone or texting service is a violation of our freedom of speech. If the hackers did not do what they did, the people would not know what B.A.R.T. did. Not that most of the sheeple picked up on or are concerned about it. I’m sure some reality show was on that took away their attention.
I would also like to ask since when is protesting an illegal activity. So long as people do not get violent they have a Constitutional right to assemble and protest any cause.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:45am… CB radios, my friend. Yeah, it’s archaic, but at least we can communicate … somewhat, until the fed jams them … dam.
The federal government has truly become the enemy of the American people …
Report Post »AlansTigg
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:51amactually it was reported on prior to the hacking
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 10:20am“I‘m just shocked that they didn’t think about the implications of this. We really don’t have the right to be this type of censor,” Lynette Sweet, who serves on BART’s board of directors, said previously. “In my opinion, we’ve let the actions of a few people affect everybody. And that’s not fair.”
Report Post »————————————————————————————————
Tell that to SF McDonalds.
sWampy
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:12amPoor misguided idiots, wait till they grow up and realize the stupid things they did as children.
Report Post »Bobmouse55
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:41amEvery invasion of privacy, every step toward a Nanny State, is justifiably resisted. Don’t give up our freedoms so easily just because the BART says it is necessary to do so. Would you let BART shut down your home phone?
Report Post »GIDEON612
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:57amMore proof of what we have reaped by government education with no morals as opposed to what the statistics show before prayer and the Bible were removed from public schools.
Look for your self at the S.A.T. scores from their onset. There is a dramatic and devastating drop in the scores beginning in 1962 onward that never recovered. Instead the S.A.T. scoring process has been altered and the bar lowered to keep up with the poor performance of the government education system. (Another Pelosi, “more bang for your buck.”, huh)
The shamefulness of the drastic increase of unwed mothers, abortions, crime, violence, drug and alcohol use and abuse, promiscuity, homosexual behavior and just plain out and out moral decline since taking God out of schools is appalling.
But the S.A.T. scores of those in private schools that teach out of the Bible have not dropped and this is done at nearly one fifth the cost of public schools. The decline of morals have not gone to hell and they produce not only better scores but better citizens as well.
This is a no-brainer that can only be disputed by those that have been blinded.
We are all born with the knowledge that there is a God and the world teaches us differently now.
May God bless America again.
Report Post »RavenGlenn
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 3:14pm@BOB:
So…since Anonymous released personal information of people….does that mean they should justifiably be resisted?
Seriously. Anonymous are a big whiny group of college-age liberals. They think they are shutting down ‘the man’, but if you actually look into what they publicly say they are doing, it‘s all for our ’greater good’. Literally. They claim they are going to protect us from oppression whether we like it or not.
Anonymous cares about nobody but themselves and their own publicity. They preach against being made to do things, having personal freedoms violated, etc….but then turn around and do the EXACT same things.
Report Post »JediPatriot
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:50pmRavenGlenn,
Report Post »Anonymous isn’t a bunch of liberals. You guys use that word like racists use the N word. Get over your 2-system lie. There is only 1 group of politicians. They put on their make-up in the morning to look different from each other. They go to the office commenting on each others nice suits and new $500.00 shoes. Then, when they appear on their reality show they start throwing meaningless words at each other. After the day is done, they go eat with each other and YOU front the $1,000.00 bills.
Us against THEM. When you realize this, then you have really awakened.
Peace
SamIamTwo
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:03amFire sale hacking, eh?
Time to get our gang chasing them down…dontcha thank?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:51amThese anarchists of Anonymous fail to understand that by the very actions of hacking into the web sights and deploying the lists of rider information, they are playing directly into the administrations hands — think on it for a minute…the admin WANTS to control the internet, so when they decide to do so, they can order it shut down or seized for the sake of ‘national emergency prevention and control due to terrorist activities…’
They are again being used as a scapegoat to set us up, the administration must be drooling over each and every success these anarchists produce.
Report Post »DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:03amThe gov should be afraid of the people.
Report Post »bhelmet
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:17amAn alliance? Comuninsts, Marxists, Revolutionaries, and Anarchists. They don’t all agree ideologically, but can unite for the purpose of creating choas and overwhelming the system. Glenn’s predictions have been AMAZING. The education he has given has allowed ALL to see.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:49amAt some point all these hackers need to be shut down. They are hacking law enforcement agencies, state agencies, federal agencies and what ever they like. They don’t seem to be stopping them. What is next? When do they stop at gov and move onto everyday citizens? They have already put everday citizens info on display.
Report Post »Texas Grasshopper
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:53amI would put money that they are gov agents
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:02amTexas you may be right. We know they want a kill switch for the internet.
Report Post »AlansTigg
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:49amI agree, I think they are using the name to force a crisis so they can gain more control over the internet
Report Post »AlansTigg
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:49amhow does releasing the contact info of riders get back at the BART for overstepping their authority….really don’t think this group is who they are pretending to be and hope my little brothers figure that out soon
Report Post »Erabin
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:59amRevealing the info of riders will make these riders kinda mad at BART for not protecting their data properly, don’t you think? Crappy data safety isn’t exactly something you advertise with.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:06amErabin
Report Post »Mad or not, it is a direct effect of the hackers. They are punishing citizens for their dislikes of govt agencies.
AlansTigg
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:48amexactly, no matter how angry you are with BART for not protecting your info better…you’re still gonna be really angry with the hackers because they are the ones who put your info out there for the public to abuse.
Report Post »Texas Grasshopper
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:34amThis article brings some connections between this typ of goverment activity and other similiar actions around the world
http://disquietreservations.blogspot.com/2011/08/martial-law-in-america-will-peel-away.html
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:20amTexas
Report Post »Last paragraph says it all.
When Martial Law is declared, the true nature of the evil dictatorship they’ve created in Washington will be revealed to America and the world.
windycitywoman
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:34amHello Beck friends! I have started a prayer group for Glenn and his endeavors on educating our youth and his mission in Israel. This group also posts news articles and videos on topics Glenn has covered on his show. Many others and I are members of GBTV and will be discussing his show daily and posting what he shares on the Internet. This is a great way to stay in the loop if you do not have GBTV!. We have also been doing wonderful fast and prayers on Wednesdays for Israel! If you are a “like minded” Christian, Conservative Glenn Beck fan please join us (300 of us and growing rapidly and without the TROLLS)! Find me on Facebook under Sharon Grek Papucci and send me a friend request! Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.” -Sidlow Baxter
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:28amI was going to comment but pop up ad said the next story was interesting.?????
Report Post »Texas Grasshopper
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:28amhow did bart get the authority to jam American cell phone s? just asking ……
Report Post »Gary_K
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:07amThey don’t have the authority. Per the FCC, it is illegal to jam radio communications and that is what a cell phone is. The head honchos (read progressive democrats) at BART need to be fired.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:15amThey weren’t going to jam cell phones, they were going to cut off their cell phone repeaters that allow cell phones to work underground. They bought them, and paid for the electricity for them, they certainly have the right to cut them off.
Report Post »LOLReally
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 10:20amMovie theatres (good ones) already use this jamming to stop loud people and annoying ringers during a movie IT IS NOT ILLEAGAL!! Next time you see a special response force reacting to a suspected bomb you will see a metal box with multiple antenna on the top. Its a little larger than a 50cal ammo can, and contains a jammer for ALL frequencys so the suspected device cannot be remote detonated, This stuff is not science fiction and EVERY large department has one. So tell me its “illeagal” again. If it saves lives then we can use it, period. As far as the theaters, it is private property and if they have a small sign saying (cellphone use is prohibited during movie) then you can expect to be jammed. Simply add a line into all cell contracts that says “this device can be remotely inhibited if the user is suspected of illeagal activity. Silencing my mouth is the only way they can violate free speech. Cellphones, newspapers, online news comments do not count.
Report Post »JediPatriot
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:54pmSwampy,
Report Post »If BART bought them……….
BART are police……….
BART are public officials………
We pay for public officials……….
Therefor………
WE bought them………..
Peace
JediPatriot
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:57pmLOLREALLY,
Report Post »Newspapers don’t count?!?!?!?
What happened to freedom of the press?
Are you listening to Beck?
walkwithme1966
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:25amWell, it looks has if the start of a revolve is beginning in the US over the internet – do you think the government will take it over? Who knows – I guess we will just have to wait and see – this could be an interesting week. http://wp.me/pYLB7-1oT
Report Post »