US seizes independent media sites - GoFuckYourself.com

DVTimes · 10-11-2004, 04:35 AM

The FBI has shut down some 20 sites which were part of an alternative media network known as Indymedia.
A US court order forced the firm hosting the material to hand over two servers in the UK used by the group.

Indymedia says it is a news source for the anti-globalisation movement and other social justice issues.

The reasons behind the seizure are unclear but the FBI has reportedly said the action was taken at the request of Italian and Swiss authorities.

Legal action

The servers affected were run by Rackspace, a US web hosting company with offices in London.

It said it had received a court order from the US authorities last Thursday to hand over the computer equipment at its UK hosting facility.

"Rackspace is acting as a good corporate citizen and is cooperating with international law enforcement authorities," said a statement by the company.

It said it was responding to an order issued under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. Under the agreement, countries assist each other in investigations such as international terrorism, kidnapping and money laundering

The reasons behind the action against the Indymedia websites are unclear.

The group said the servers affected had hosted the sites of more then 20 local collectives and audio streams for several radio stations, as well as several other projects.

"Indymedia had been asked last month by the FBI to remove a story about Swiss undercover police from one of the websites hosted at Rackspace," said the group in a statement.

"It is not known, however, whether Thursday's order is related to that incident since the order was issued to Rackspace and not to Indymedia."

'Intolerable and intrusive'

A FBI spokesperson told the AFP news agency that it was not an FBI operation, saying the order had been issued at the request of Italian and Swiss authorities.

The seizure has sparked off protests from journalist groups.

"We have witnessed an intolerable and intrusive international police operation against a network specialising in independent journalism," said Aidan White, general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists.

"The way this has been done smacks more of intimidation of legitimate journalistic inquiry than crime-busting."

The UK site of Indymedia is back up and running but several of the other 20 sites affected are still offline.

In the US, the civil liberties group, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) said it was working with Indymedia over how to react to the seizures.

"The constitution does not permit the government unilaterally to cut off the speech of an independent media outlet, especially without providing a reason or even allowing Indymedia the information necessary to contest the seizure," said EFF Staff Attorney Kurt Opsahl.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3732718.stm

Jeff aka NIGHTfall · 10-11-2004, 04:39 AM

wonder if cardomain.com was with them

beemk · 10-11-2004, 04:44 AM

that sucks, i dont see how the us can take their servers in england.

SMG · 10-11-2004, 04:54 AM

bastards

jimmyf · 10-11-2004, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by beemk
that sucks, i dont see how the us can take their servers in england.

I can

DVTimes · 10-11-2004, 05:45 AM

Sarah_Jayne · 10-11-2004, 05:53 AM

one of my friends really kicked off about this in the pub the other night

Rochard · 10-11-2004, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by beemk
that sucks, i dont see how the us can take their servers in england.

"......at the request of Italian and Swiss authorities......"

jacked · 10-11-2004, 07:35 AM

crazy i wonder what the reasoning is behind this if it was really all about just a news story they posted on one of there sites or it was more than that... definately more than that

Roger · 10-11-2004, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by allanuk
The reasons behind the seizure are unclear but the FBI has reportedly said the action was taken at the request of Italian and Swiss authorities.

But of course. Some other country tells you to do something and you immediatly follow their orders? A few weeks later they'll be shutting down websites at the request of the Castro government

The least they can do is give a reason why. Is it too much to ask nowadays?

inabon · 10-11-2004, 08:24 AM

The problem here is Rackspace they are USA based so they can get their business shut down if they don't help USA government.

Roger · 10-11-2004, 08:25 AM

They need to stop raping the constitution.

Fake Nick · 10-11-2004, 08:25 AM

wrong, KARL ROVER seized all their computers not the fbi

Sarah_Jayne · 10-11-2004, 08:54 AM

the other point people are missing - this is why UK webmasters need to follow 2257.

jimmyf · 10-11-2004, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sarah_webinc
the other point people are missing - this is why UK webmasters need to follow 2257.

not just UK webmasters and it's not just 2257.

A bunch people are in for a rude awaking.

SmokeyTheBear · 10-11-2004, 10:20 AM

I dont know how clear i can make this for everyone, but

DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS CASE NOW.

It would only take a small portion of your day to make a few simple calls

#1 call rackspace
usa/canada
1-800-961-4454

Europe
+44 20 8897 4717

Tell them you will pull all your hosting if they cant legally protect your files. Tell them there is a right way to seize files ( a court order ) , and theres a wrong way ( theft deception corruption )

#2 call your local f.bi. field office and complain complain complain.

#3 call your local news tip line, give them a link to this story and tell them to run it ( wardialer it if you can )

Sarah_Jayne · 10-11-2004, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmyf
not just UK webmasters and it's not just 2257.

A bunch people are in for a rude awaking.

Of course not but as I am in the UK and 2257 has been an issue much debated in the European community it is worth noting.

Rich · 10-11-2004, 10:54 AM

I just cancelled the servers I had with rackspace and told them exactly why. This is horseshit. So much for even the illusion of a free press.

pornguy · 10-11-2004, 10:57 AM

They can take them because os a mutual assistance agreement. that agreement exists between most rational countries in the world.

DVTimes · 10-11-2004, 01:15 PM

10-11-2004, 04:54 AM	#4
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10-11-2004, 05:45 AM	#6
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10-11-2004, 07:35 AM	#9
jacked sperm tail Industry Role: Join Date: May 2004 Location: nj Posts: 11,019	crazy i wonder what the reasoning is behind this if it was really all about just a news story they posted on one of there sites or it was more than that... definately more than that __________________ Got Cam Models? icq: 361-607-616

10-11-2004, 08:24 AM	#11
inabon Good Old Fat Webmaster Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Boquete, Panamá Posts: 970	The problem here is Rackspace they are USA based so they can get their business shut down if they don't help USA government. __________________ Whoever dies with most toys wins.

10-11-2004, 10:20 AM	#16
SmokeyTheBear ►SouthOfHeaven Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: PlanetEarth MyBoardRank: GerbilMaster My-Penis-Size: extralarge MyWeapon: Computer Posts: 28,609	I dont know how clear i can make this for everyone, but DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS CASE NOW. It would only take a small portion of your day to make a few simple calls #1 call rackspace usa/canada 1-800-961-4454 Europe +44 20 8897 4717 Tell them you will pull all your hosting if they cant legally protect your files. Tell them there is a right way to seize files ( a court order ) , and theres a wrong way ( theft deception corruption ) #2 call your local f.bi. field office and complain complain complain. #3 call your local news tip line, give them a link to this story and tell them to run it ( wardialer it if you can ) __________________ hatisblack at yahoo.com

10-11-2004, 04:35 AM	#1
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	US seizes independent media sites The FBI has shut down some 20 sites which were part of an alternative media network known as Indymedia. A US court order forced the firm hosting the material to hand over two servers in the UK used by the group. Indymedia says it is a news source for the anti-globalisation movement and other social justice issues. The reasons behind the seizure are unclear but the FBI has reportedly said the action was taken at the request of Italian and Swiss authorities. Legal action The servers affected were run by Rackspace, a US web hosting company with offices in London. It said it had received a court order from the US authorities last Thursday to hand over the computer equipment at its UK hosting facility. "Rackspace is acting as a good corporate citizen and is cooperating with international law enforcement authorities," said a statement by the company. It said it was responding to an order issued under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. Under the agreement, countries assist each other in investigations such as international terrorism, kidnapping and money laundering The reasons behind the action against the Indymedia websites are unclear. The group said the servers affected had hosted the sites of more then 20 local collectives and audio streams for several radio stations, as well as several other projects. "Indymedia had been asked last month by the FBI to remove a story about Swiss undercover police from one of the websites hosted at Rackspace," said the group in a statement. "It is not known, however, whether Thursday's order is related to that incident since the order was issued to Rackspace and not to Indymedia." 'Intolerable and intrusive' A FBI spokesperson told the AFP news agency that it was not an FBI operation, saying the order had been issued at the request of Italian and Swiss authorities. The seizure has sparked off protests from journalist groups. "We have witnessed an intolerable and intrusive international police operation against a network specialising in independent journalism," said Aidan White, general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists. "The way this has been done smacks more of intimidation of legitimate journalistic inquiry than crime-busting." The UK site of Indymedia is back up and running but several of the other 20 sites affected are still offline. In the US, the civil liberties group, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) said it was working with Indymedia over how to react to the seizures. "The constitution does not permit the government unilaterally to cut off the speech of an independent media outlet, especially without providing a reason or even allowing Indymedia the information necessary to contest the seizure," said EFF Staff Attorney Kurt Opsahl. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3732718.stm __________________ The Affiliate Program

10-11-2004, 04:39 AM	#2
Jeff aka NIGHTfall Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 5,162	wonder if cardomain.com was with them __________________ Register Now For PimpinPays.com

10-11-2004, 04:44 AM	#3
beemk CLICK HERE Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 20,829	that sucks, i dont see how the us can take their servers in england. __________________ I host with Vacares

10-11-2004, 05:53 AM	#7
Sarah_Jayne Now with more Jayne Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 40,077	one of my friends really kicked off about this in the pub the other night

10-11-2004, 08:25 AM	#12
Roger Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: MetroCity Posts: 3,181	They need to stop raping the constitution.

10-11-2004, 08:25 AM	#13
Fake Nick So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: go troll goo! Posts: 7,708	wrong, KARL ROVER seized all their computers not the fbi

10-11-2004, 08:54 AM	#14
Sarah_Jayne Now with more Jayne Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 40,077	the other point people are missing - this is why UK webmasters need to follow 2257.

10-11-2004, 10:54 AM	#18
Rich So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 11,486	I just cancelled the servers I had with rackspace and told them exactly why. This is horseshit. So much for even the illusion of a free press.

10-11-2004, 10:57 AM	#19
pornguy Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Homeless Posts: 62,911	They can take them because os a mutual assistance agreement. that agreement exists between most rational countries in the world. __________________ PornGuy skype me pornguy_epic AmateurDough The Hottes Shemales online! TChicks.com \| Angeles Cid \| Mariana Cordoba \| MAILERS WELCOME!

10-11-2004, 01:15 PM	#20
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	__________________ The Affiliate Program