[May First/People Link hosts Portside -- moderator.]

FBI Seizes Server in Attack on Anonymous Speech

by May First/People Link
Apr 20 2012

See also MF/PL statement
https://mayfirst.org/fbi-attacks-anonymous-speech

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: 
Riseup Networks, 
Devin Theriot-Orr, 206-708-8740, [log in to unmask] 

May First/People Link,
Jamie McClelland, 917-509-5734, [log in to unmask] 

ECN: Isole Nella Rete, [log in to unmask]

On Wednesday, April 18, at approximately 16:00 ET, U.S.
Federal authorities removed a server from a colocation
facility shared by Riseup Networks and May First/People
Link in New York City.

The seized server was operated by the European Counter
Network ("ECN"), the oldest independent internet service
provider in Europe, who, among many other things,
provided an anonymous remailer service, Mixmaster, that
was the target of an FBI investigation into the bomb
threats against the University of Pittsburgh.

"The company running the facility has confirmed that the
server was removed in conjunction with a search warrant
issued by the FBI," said May First/People Link director
Jamie McClelland. "The server seizure is not only an
attack against us, but an attack against all users of
the Internet who depend on anonymous communication."

Disrupted in this seizure were academics, artists,
historians, feminist groups, gay rights groups,
community centers, documentation and software archives
and free speech groups. The server included the mailing
list "cyber rights" (the oldest discussion list in Italy
to discuss this topic), a Mexican migrant solidarity
group, and other groups working to support indigenous
groups and workers in Latin America, the Caribbean and
Africa. In total, over 300 email accounts, between 50-80
email lists, and several other websites have been taken
off the Internet by this action. None are alleged to be
involved in the anonymous bomb threats.

"The FBI is using a sledgehammer approach, shutting down
service to hundreds of users due to the actions of one
anonymous person," said Devin Theriot-Orr, a
spokesperson for Riseup. "This is particularly misguided
because there is unlikely to be any information on the
server regarding the source of the threatening emails."

"We sympathize with the University of Pittsburgh
community who have had to deal with this frightening
disruption for weeks. We oppose such threatening
actions. However, taking this server won't stop these
bomb threats. The only effect it has is to also disrupt
e-mail and websites for thousands of unrelated people,"
continues Mr. Theriot-Orr. "Furthermore, the network of
anonymous remailers that exists is not harmed by taking
this machine. So we cannot help but wonder why such
drastic action was taken when authorities knew that the
server contained no useful information that would help
in their investigation."

The FBI purportedly seized the server because it was
hosting an anonymous remailer called Mixmaster.
Anonymous remailers are used to send email anonymously,
or pseudonymously. Like other anonymizing services such
as the Tor network, these remailers are widely used to
protect the identity of human rights activists who place
themselves and their families in grave danger by
reporting information about abuses. Remailers are also
important for corporate whistle blowers, democracy
activists working under repressive regimes, and others
to communicate vital information that would otherwise go
un-reported.

The Mixmaster software is specifically designed to make
it impossible for anyone to trace the emails. The system
does not record logs of connections, details of who sent
messages, or how they were routed. This is because the
Mixmaster network is specifically designed to resist
censorship, and support privacy and anonymity.
Unfortunately, some people misuse the network. However,
compared to the rate of legitimate use, the abuse rate
is very low. There is therefore no legitimate purpose
for the FBI to seize this server because they will not
be able to obtain any information about the sender. This
is plainly extrajudicial punishment and an attack on
free speech and anonymity on the internet and serves as
a chilling effect on others providers of anonymous
remailers or other anonymous services.

MayFirst/People Link (mayfirst.org) is a politically-
progressive member-run and controlled organization that
redefines the concept of "Internet Service Provider" in
a collective and collaborative way. May First/People
Link's members are organizers and activists who elect a
Leadership Committee to direct the organization. Like a
coop, members pay dues, buy equipment and then share
that equipment for websites, email, email lists, and
other Internet purposes.

Riseup Networks (riseup.net) provides online
communication tools for people and groups working on
liberatory social change. Riseup creates democratic
alternatives and practices self-determination by
controlling our own secure means of communications.

ECN (European Counter Network - ecn.org) is the oldest
independent service provider in Europe providing free
email accounts, mailing lists, and websites to
organizations, activists, and movements that are
involved in human rights, freedom of speech and
information in Italy and Europe. ECN is anti-fascist and
works towards a just and equal society. Years ago,
before sites like Youtube and Vimeo existed, ECN created
a platform called NGV where people could upload and
share independent video of human rights violations.
Nowadays ECN works primarily with anti-fascist and anti-
Nazi movements in all of Europe, providing space and
resources to political and social centers.

___________________________________________

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