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US charges Julian Assange with violating the Espionage Act
Federal prosecutors have charged WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange with 17 more criminal counts, including accusations that he violated the Espionage Act. The US charged him last month with conspiracy to commit computer hacking following his arrest in London. The superseding indictment includes that previous charge.
Julian Assange is facing extradition to the US following arrest (update)
Julian Assange has been arrested by London's Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and removed from the embassy, according to the MPS. Police entered the facility at the request of Ecuador's Ambassador, "following the Ecuadorian government's withdrawal of asylum," the MPS wrote on their website. Assange is now in custody at a "central London police station where he will remain, before being presented before Westminster Magistrates' Court as soon as is possible."
Filing reveals sealed charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange
This evening, it became clear that the Justice Department either had already filed charges against Julian Assange under seal, or was preparing them. First the Wall Street Journal reported that preparations were under way, and then Seamus Hughes pointed out a court filing that mentions the WikiLeaks cofounder.
WikiLeaks replaces Julian Assange as editor-in-chief
Julian Assange hasn't been able to do much as WikiLeaks editor-in-chief since the Ecuadorian embassy cut off his communications, and the outlet is now acknowledging that reality. Assange has appointed legal project manager and Icelandic journalist Kristinn Hrafnsson as WikiLeaks' new EIC due to the "extraordinary circumstances" that made him go "incommunicado." The site founder will remain as publisher, but he clearly won't be running day-to-day affairs.
What legacy will WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange leave behind?
"Can you say to the American people, unequivocally, that you did not get this information about the DNC, John Podesta's emails, can you tell the American people 1,000 percent you did not get it from Russia or anybody associated with Russia?" Fox News host Sean Hannity asked Wikileaks founder, editor-in-chief and self-styled leader Julian Assange during a televised interview.
WikiLeaks' Julian Assange could face 'imminent' embassy expulsion
It's been evident for a while that the current Ecuadorian government isn't so fond of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange staying in its London embassy to avoid extradition, and now he may be close to getting the boot. Sources speaking to both the Times of London and CNN state that Assange is facing "imminent" expulsion. It's not certain when he might leave (if he does at all), but his team is reportedly prepping plans if he had to leave within "hours, days or weeks," according to the Times. The situation is "untenable," as CNN puts it -- and not just because of politics.
Julian Assange’s protection reportedly cost Ecuador millions
The Ecuadorian government has apparently spent quite a bit of money protecting Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. According to a report at The Guardian, the country had the full assent of the Ecuadorian president and foreign minister to "protect" Assange via "Operation Guest," which sources say had an average cost of at least $66,000 per month.
After Math: This is a witch hunt
It was a dangerous week for some of the biggest names in technology as they they were forced to face off against these new things called "consequences" which have come about due to their ongoing "actions." It's all so very unfair. Ashley Madison is still super duper sorry about the whole exposing of America's least competent infidelitors thing, Reddit is saying "sayonara" to bitcoin (but not its resident racists), and the government of Ecuador went and changed up the Wi-Fi password on poor Julian Assange. But hey, at least Zuck won't be out of a job anytime soon. Numbers, because how else will we know whether she'll sink or float?
Ecuador cracks down on Julian Assange’s internet access
The Ecuadorian government just suspended Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's internet communications, preventing him from sending tweets or other messages from the South American country's embassy in London. Assange, granted Ecuadorian citizenship this year, has been living at the embassy for six years to avoid extradition for rape charges in Sweden (which have since been dropped).
Democrats aim to subpoena Apple, Twitter over private chats
The House of Representatives' investigation into Russia's election interference may have ended, but Democrats are still discussing what they'd like to do if and when they regain a House majority -- and it could have significant repercussions for the tech industry. Their recently published memo in the aftermath of the investigation calls on the House Intelligence Committee to subpoena Apple, Twitter and WhatsApp for info regarding encrypted chat apps and private messages. The Democrats want to know which apps key actors in the 2016 US election used, and what they said.
Julian Assange's Twitter account goes quiet (update: It's back)
Late on Christmas Eve Julian Assange's official Twitter account appears to have been deleted. It's initially unclear if the disappearance was a ban or if Assange simply deleted his own account. But it does not appear to simply be a glitch. According to The Daily Beast, a second account popped up shortly after claiming to be a back up alternate to the official @JulianAssange. It accused Twitter of deleting Assange's account to silence him ahead of a major story. But that account has also now been removed. You can see a cached version of the original account here, but there are no obvious clues as to why the account went quiet. We've reached out to both Wikileaks and Twitter for more information. We'll update the story if and when we hear back. Update: Assange's account is back up, but there's still no explanation from him, Wikileaks or Twitter.
UK tribunal declares WikiLeaks a media organization
A British tribunal released a ruling today on a freedom of information case in which an Italian journalist, Stefania Maurizi, sought documents regarding WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition. While the tribunal decided that she could not get those documents due to confidentiality reasons, it did state in its summary that WikiLeaks was a media organization, which could make any US attempts at having Assange extradited more difficult.
Sweden drops investigation into Julian Assange rape allegations
Sweden has dropped its investigation into Julian Assange over allegations of rape, dramatically changing the plot in a standoff that has lasted seven years. The charges were first leveled at the WikiLeaks founder in 2010, causing him to seek asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012 after losing a series of appeals. He's been sequestered there ever since, and could finally go free once the withdrawal of his warrant is confirmed by a London court, possibly by the end of the day.
Wikileaks whistleblower Chelsea Manning walks free from prison
Chelsea Manning took her first steps as a free woman moments ago. Charged with espionage and the capital offense of aiding the enemy, she faced a 35 year sentence for 20 charges, stemming from classified information the then-Bradley Manning submitted to Wikileaks. The soldier's sentence was commuted by President Obama in January. She will be on unpaid active duty in the military while her military court conviction goes through the appeal process, BBC notes. Should the appeal not be approved, Manning could be dishonorably discharged.
Reports: US is preparing charges against Wikileaks' Assange
United States authorities have prepared charges for the arrest of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, CNN reports. Assange has been hiding out in the Embassy of Ecuador in London since 2012, fleeing allegations of rape in Sweden and espionage charges in the US. This makes him difficult to reach, regardless of a formal charge -- unless Ecuador plans to kick him out of its embassy after a five-year stay.
Watch 'Citizenfour' team's WikiLeaks doc this summer on Showtime
There haven't been any shortage of documentaries about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, but the one we've kept a keen eye on is from filmmaker Laura Poitras. You might remember her as the director of the the Edward Snowden documentary Citizenfour and as one of the 150 filmmakers calling for camera encryption. As it happens, Risk will see a theatrical release, but this summer the film will be available on the small screen thanks to Showtime, Variety reports.
The Engadget Podcast Ep 31: Look Inside America
On this episode a trio of out-of-towners -- managing editor James Trew, senior editor Aaron Souppouris and senior editor Mat Smith -- join host Terrence O'Brien to talk about the latest tech news. First they'll discuss Consumer Reports decision to start considering security and privacy in their ratings. Then try to figure out just what the hell the New York Times is thinking by putting tweets in the print edition of the paper. Then lastly they'll talk about the latest out of Wikileaks and yell a whole lot about what a terrible person Julian Assange is.
WikiLeaks offers to work with tech firms to fix CIA exploits
Founder Julian Assange says that WikiLeaks will offer tech companies access to CIA's leaked hacking techniques and code. During a news conference held at The Embassy of Ecuador in London on Thursday, he said that it would allow firms time to "develop fixes" before further details about the techniques are revealed to the public. Assange said the CIA tools could be used to tap into servers, smartphones and even your TV.
Julian Assange 'happy' about the rise of fake news
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is taking time out from hiding in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to sing the praises of fake news. He appeared via satellite at a Q&A in Sydney, Australia this weekend, where he defended his organization and painted the traditional press as "opportunistic snipers" who publish "weaponized text."
Julian Assange says he's willing to return to the US
Infamous Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had previously said he would return to the US to face trial if the US granted clemency to Chelsea Manning, who was convicted of violating the Espionage Act after leaking a massive amount of classified government information, including 250,000 diplomatic cables. Earlier this week, President Obama commuted the vast majority of Manning's remaining sentence; she's now set to be released this May. Since then, the question has been asked if Assange would stick to his word -- and today, he said he might actually do it.
