U.S. Subpoenas Wikileaks’ Twitter Account
- Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:48am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
LONDON (AP) — U.S. officials have issued a subpoena to demand details about WikiLeaks’ Twitter account, according to court documents obtained Saturday. WikiLeaks says other American Internet companies may also have been ordered to hand over information about its activities.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ordered San Francisco-based Twitter Inc. to hand over private messages, billing addresses and connection records of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and other alleged associates – including the U.S. Army intelligence analyst suspected of handing classified information to the site and a high-profile Icelandic parliamentarian.
Assange blasted the order, saying it amounted to harassment.
“If the Iranian government was to attempt to coercively obtain this information from journalists and activists of foreign nations, human rights groups around the world would speak out,” he said in a statement.
A copy of the court order, dated Dec. 14 and sent to The Associated Press by Icelandic lawmaker Birgitta Jonsdottir, said the information sought was “relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation” and ordered Twitter not to disclose its existence to Assange or any of the others targeted.
But a second document, dated Jan. 5, unsealed the court order. The reason wasn’t made explicit but WikiLeaks said it had been unsealed “thanks to legal action by Twitter.”
Twitter has declined to comment on the topic, saying only that its policy is to notify its users, where possible, of government requests for information.
Those named in the order include Pfc. Bradley Manning, the U.S. Army private suspected of being the source of some of WikiLeaks’ material, as well as Jonsdottir, a one-time WikiLeaks collaborator known for her role in pioneering Iceland’s media initiative, which aims to make the North Atlantic island nation a haven for free speech.
The U.S. is also seeking details about Dutch hacker Rop Gonggrijp and U.S. programmer Jacob Appelbaum, both of whom have previously worked with WikiLeaks.
Assange has promised to fight the order, as has Jonsdottir, who said in a Twitter message that she had “no intention to hand my information over willingly.” Appelbaum, whose Twitter feed suggested he was traveling in Iceland, said he was apprehensive about returning to the U.S.
“Time to try to enjoy the last of my vacation, I suppose,” he tweeted.
Gonggrijp expressed annoyance that court officials had misspelled his last name – and praised Twitter for notifying him and others that the U.S. had subpoenaed his details.
“It appears that Twitter, as a matter of policy, does the right thing in wanting to inform their users when one of these comes in,” Gonggrijp said. “Heaven knows how many places have received similar subpoenas and just quietly submitted all they had on me.”
WikiLeaks also voiced its suspicion that other organizations, such as Facebook Inc. and Google Inc., had also been served with court orders, and urged them to “unseal any subpoenas they have received.”
Google’s London office did not immediately return a call and an e-mail seeking comment. Facebook did not immediately return an e-mail seeking comment either.
U.S. officials have been deeply angry with WikiLeaks for months, for first releasing tens of thousands of U.S. classified military documents on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, then more recently posting thousands of classified U.S. diplomatic cables. U.S. officials say posting the military documents put informers’ lives at risk, and that posting diplomatic cables has made other countries reluctant to deal with American officials.
WikiLeaks denies U.S. charges that its postings could put lives at risk, saying that Washington merely is acting out of embarrassment over the revelations contained in the cables.
Although its relations with the U.S. government have been ugly, WikiLeaks and its tech-savvy staff have relied on American Internet and finance companies to raise funds, disseminate material and get their message out.
WikiLeaks’ frequently updated Facebook page, for example, counts 1.5 million fans and its Twitter account has a following of more than 600,000. Until recently, the group raised donations via PayPal Inc., MasterCard Inc., and Visa Inc., and hosted material on Amazon.com’s servers.
But the group’s use of American companies has come under increasing pressure as it continues to reveal U.S. secrets – with PayPal and the credit card companies severing their links with site. Amazon.com booted WikiLeaks from its servers last month.
—
Michael Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this report.
Comments (45)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 589 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 415 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 379 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 375 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 415 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 379 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know 100 Comments- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 415 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Nixit
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 2:14amI believe that what Assange has done to some degree is deplorable. Putting lives at stake in the name of journalism is offensive, but….not against the law. Manning is the traitor to the oaths that he has taken and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Assange is a dispicable human being, some would say true, but he has broken no law. The questions should be more of: How did Manning have access to these documents? Who was overseeing his actions? Was this a planned release? Is Assange being used because they knew he’d run with it?
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:23amNothing burns hotter than the truth, ha ha.
Report Post »dukestreet
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:28amAssange is a hacker not a journalist. I think it‘s hilarious that he’s whining about getting done exactly what he does to others. If he wants to put all that stuff out there that’s his choice but all actions have consequences be they good or bad. He should quit being such a baby about it.
Report Post »GrumpyCat
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:10amWhat is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Report Post »P4cooler
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 4:34pmWay too slow White House. Hundreds of mirror sites. Thanks to Holder and Obama…. our Nation Security is venerable. Homeland Security spies on the likes of Jesse Ventura and Tea Party members. Looking forward to 2012.
Report Post »William_Wallace
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:57pmMaster-card and VISA controlled, PayPal controlled, Amazon controlled, E-bay controlled, ……… what do they have in common? They are all USA, land of the free, based.
Report Post »Spawnomite
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:12pmWay to really crack down on them. That will will put the fear into them.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:21pmHope we’re not following each other.
Report Post »William_Wallace
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:59pmWhen China collects information about its dissidents from Internet companies it is dictatorship, when US does the same it is justice.
Yes dissidents in China put the lives of Chinese men and women at risk and dissidents in Iran put the lives of Iranian men and women at stake. The West had some moral upper hand till recently which it is gradually losing and this is very sad…
Report Post »Afungi
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:22pmI agree! Before you decide you wont China and Iran justice remember; when you buy that package, you buy the whole package. We live in a Representative Republic with laws and if something is legal when the act is done. It can not be made illegal in retrospect. We are not a Democracy where rule is by the mob of 51% of those who show up. Assange is not subject to the UCMJ and can not be a trader his act is not sedition to the USA because he is not a citizen of the USA. He can not be a trader to the world unless your are (for) in a world government! By declaring him a trader to the world, YOU declare a world government. You can not defend the Constitution by abandoning it.
Report Post »William_Wallace
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:52pmWow, the government steps all over civil liberties and some of you cheer!
I realize that WikiLeaks is unpopular with a lot of readers here. I don’t think that is the main issue. The issue is that this government continually usurps control from the citizen and wields it with an iron fist.
So, cheer today if you must, but remember that if they can do this to Wiki, they can do it to you. Big Brother is taking over…
Report Post »AmericanSoldier
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:43pmI’m with ya. I think Pastor Martin Niemöller said it the best. Be careful what you wish for America
Report Post »Kiwon
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:42pmIt’s just a crying shame.
Assange is being Assanged.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:30pmAside from being a vile excuse for a human being I have no idea what crime Assange is accused of committing. He is not a U.S. citizen so it sure as heck isn’t treason. Espionage? Maybe but I think that’s a stretch.
The American soldier is a different animal. IF HIS GUILT IS PROVEN: He should have a date with a U.S. Army firing squad.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:33pmI would then pick the worst marksmen I could find! Just make them reload a time or two.
Report Post »ANTIFA
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:35pmExecuting journalists by military firing squad doesn’t really make the United States a beacon of human rights.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:43pm@ANTIFA
Report Post »I never suggested executing any journalists! Read the posts again: The soldier is the bad guy here! Jeeeeeze
snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:44pm@82nd
True about the espionage and treason charges with him not being a American citizen; I think there is grounds to at least charge him with conspiracy to release classified materials. I am still checking in on this part, and the legaleze at times gives me headaches.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:58pm@Snow
Assange is not subject to the UCMJ but Manning is:
904. ART. 104. AIDING THE ENEMY
Any person who–
(1) aids, or attempts to aid, the enemy with arms, ammunition, supplies, money, or other things; or
(2) without proper authority, knowingly harbors or [protects or gives intelligence to or communicates or corresponds with or holds any intercourse with the enemy, either directly or indirectly; shall suffer death or such other punishment as a court-martial or military commission may direct.
906. ART. 106. SPIES
Any person who in time of war is found lurking as a spy or acting as a spy in or about any place, vessel, or aircraft, within the control or jurisdiction of any of the armed forces, or in or about any shipyard, any manufacturing or industrial plant, or any other place or institution engaged in work in aid of the prosecution of the war by the Unites States, or elsewhere, shall be tried by a general court-martial or by a military commission and on conviction shall be punished by death.
906a. ART. 106a. ESPIONAGE
(A)
(1) Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent or reason to believe that it is to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation, communicates, delivers, or transmits, or attempts to communicate, deliver, or transmit, to any entity described in paragraph (2), either directly or indirectly, any thing described in paragraph (3) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct, except that if the accused is found guilty of an offense that directly concerns
(A) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft or satellites, early warning systems, or other means of defense or retaliation against large scale attack,
(B) war plans,
(C) communications intelligence or cryptographic information, or
Report Post »Bill May
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:24pmI guess we‘ll have to wait until the Obamacare Mandate that all medical records be stored in a big brother database is implemented to have Wikileaks disclose Bill Clinton’s medical records. You know our government will exercise the same due diligence in protecting our medical records as they did in protecting information vital to our national security.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:19pmWhy would Assange care if he has nothing to hide. If you don’t want people to see what you put on Twitter, I would suggest that you don’t put it on Twitter or anywhere else. That’s the best way to keep a secret.
Report Post »Rob
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:11pmAssange should be glad I am not in charge.
Report Post »shorthanded12
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:10pmThis issue has a total 360 twist on it all. The whole dayum thing stinks to high heavan. Why has it taken the DOJ this long to act. My first theory is that Bank of America pressing the DOJ to stop Wikileaks since Wikileaks implicated large banks would be identified for the corruption with in, plus reports surfaced that hi ranking BOA officials were lawyering up. Assange has no morals what so ever but yet I dont beleive some PFC in the Army acted alone. The destruction of The United States is being faught on 3 fronts, 1. Wikileaks 2. The US Federal Government 3. Radical muslims. The citizens of this country have a long hard battle for years to come.
Report Post »Outside Looking In
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:05pmSmile.
Sure, the battle will take some time, but it doesn’t have to be all that hard – lots of us are finally getting wise to their game and starting to pick up on what ‘the other hand is doing.’
Glenn has helped us all in ways it will take us a good number of years to truly appreciate.
Buck up, buckle up, study up on your U.S History, remember to laugh a whole lot, get your home, heart, and health in order, put your trust in God and Divine Providence, go out to fight the good fight, and things will be fine.
Report Post »Max jones
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:27pmI still want wikileaks to release the rest of the docs. Its time to REALLY look at what our elites are doing. I don’t trust anyone in any kind of power position.
Report Post »ozz
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:06pmHis motives suck, but he has committed no crime. His case will be used to further erode the bill of rights. What should be done is the soldier who leaked the info should be tried for treason and publicly executed.
Report Post »Buckaroo
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:44pmer, YES.HE.HAS committed a crime. several, actually. All large felonies.
/sigh
8jrts
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:55pmAgreed about Assange, he makes my skin crawl. But Manning was only a PFC and couldn’t have stolen that info alone. He had to have help. We need to find who helped and try them all for treason.
Report Post »fertlmind
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:05pmIf Mr assange was actually doing this in Iran he would have his hands and feet cut off before being stoned to death. To compare the justice systems of the free world with Islamofacist countries like Iran is absurd. This guy may deserve sharia justice, but he will at most get his day in our court and a cushy plea deal if that. He should be proud. He’s trying to be a punk,….and he has succeded. In my opinion, he should accidently turn up dead with a note attached in a dumpster in Sweden.
Report Post »Spin Slash
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:04pmAmazing!! he can leak private and ill gotten documents about others but when it is his own privacy, suddenly, he screams foul…. he made a choice to leak, at that same time he should also have considered the consequence of his actions. What goes around comes around .
Report Post »AmericanSoldier
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:36pmWow, that’s a great stance to have. Let’s punish whistleblowers by allowing government to have full power to obtain every bit of information about the guy and everyone that supports them. That information is in safe hands. No no no, Government won’t use that power you gave them on the ordinary citizen! Of course not!
Report Post »Spin Slash
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:53amGovernment access? as if they are abusing some persons rights?.. there is no assumption to privacy on the internet. Every major website states a privacy notice and every privacy notice declares that they will turn over members account records if the proper legal request is made. I have no problem with whistle blowing, or even in this case with Assange. My thought is, that if a person lives boldly no matter what he or she chooses to do, they have to be prepared for bold moves against them and plan accordingly. Dumping the dirty laundry of the world and then tweeting about it is not all that smart.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:03pmI attended a meeting last night discussing the United States Constitution, and our history. It was fascinating and extremely informative. I learned that 5/6 of the US population never reads a history book after high school, and that high school history books are mostly fantasy. We need to exert more control over educators (formerly called teachers) to teach real history. I know my high school experience taught me not to read history (teachers were generally coaches who, it seemed, were not interested in history – at least they were not interesting). Now I have to relearn/unlearn what they professed by going to reliable and original sources. We need to learn and teach our history in order to preserve it, otherwise we will have Orwellian vestiges of our proud (and not-so-proud) history. If we learn that America (and her presidents) did not make mistakes we will ‘progress’ into make believe future.
Report Post »13thGenerationAmerican
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 5:07pmReally? what University were you actually attending, was is Glenn Becks per chance?
Report Post »rpp
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:53amIt’s about time. This traitor to humanity needs to e shut down. He is an agent, not of free speech, but chaos. He will not be happy until he helps to start a global conflagration.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:26pmAssange calls it “harassment” by the administration? I wonder what he would call it if his master the lord Spooky Dude cut off his funding?
Oh well, hope Assange loves his next room mate called “bubba”
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:31pmYes, but if they can get the internet information that want from these companies, what is to stop the government from getting internet records on any of us? http://maboulette.wordpress.com
Report Post »Resolved
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:14pmHe’s complaining, but isn’t the government getting info on him from twitter kind of like him getting info on the government from Manning? It seems similar to me, except the government doesn’t seem to be broadcasting it to the world. Just thought this was an amusing irony.
Report Post »ANTIFA
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:32pmAs far as we can tell, Assange hasn’t broken any laws. I don’t think the Twitter account is going to help prosecutors much.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:41pm@Walkwithme
Who says the government already does not have any and all internet info?
Report Post »silveracer44
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:09pmWth people don’t support this! They want the info of everyone who follows wikileaks on twitter! That is utter BS and a total violation of the 1st Amendment!
Report Post »mcfinch
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:19pmGood for them and maybe us.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Video Website
Report Post »AmericanSoldier
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:32pmYou people are still unbelievable. He didn’t commit a crime. If journalism is a crime, then start locking them all up. How about they assassinate the guy who was embedded with the Taliban in Afghanistan and recorded them attacking American Convoys. Yes, let‘s put them all in jail for displaying information and events we’d otherwise be oblivious to. Let’s allow Governments and big Corporations hide behind a vale of secrecy. That’ll work out well for the rest of us serfs.
Report Post »bostonchris
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 4:17pmhttp://www.ronpaul2012.net/
sign petition for ron paul
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:50amProsecute already.
Report Post »