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Oakland FBI Contacts Indymedia Volunteer
Information about FBI contact with Indymedia volunteers today, Nov 2, 2001.
November 2, 2001 - The FBI contacted volunteers from the Independent Media Center (indymedia) in San Francisco today. Agent Chuck Esposito, from the Oakland FBI office, telephoned "Espe," a volunteer who has worked with the San Francisco Indymedia collective. Agent Esposito asked Espe if he had access to server logs, if he administered "indymedia sites," and if he had access to the server. Espe only replied that he could not answer questions without the presence of an attorney. Agent Esposito asked Espe if he knew what the call was about or if anyone else had contacted him. Espe said, "No, care to fill me in?" Agent Esposito replied, "not until I'm ready." Agent Esposito also mentioned something about "terrorist threats," but Espe could not recall the exact context.
<br><br>
Other IMC volunteers immediately called the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who helped Indymedia when Seattle IMC was served with an order by the FBI in April. According to information obtained by an EFF representative, Agent Esposito was given indymedia contact information by the Seattle FBI office, and was instructed to follow up on a lead they had received. The lead involved some kind of "anthrax threat." Agent Esposito indicated that the FBI is interested in reviewing Indymedia server logs. Agent Esposito also indicated that, to his knowledge, the "threat" appeared on the Arizona IMC website.
<br><br>
Following the FBI order in April, the Indymedia tech collective decided to stop recording IP addresses of website visitors. The IP address is the "key" to identifying website visitors. Without IP addresses, most Indymedia web traffic is anonymous. However, this is not absolute protection. Use of internet spying and devices like Carnivore allow the FBI to obtain this information without going through Indymedia.
<br><br>
Website users who wish to remain anonymous should utilize "anonymous web proxies." These are websites which allow you to surf other websites, while protecting your identity. Not all anonymizer services are safe. For instance, SafeWeb.com, based in Oakland, is largely funded by the CIA. Currently, many people are relying on the anonymizer offered by the European Counter Network, at https://proxy1.autistici.org/
<br><br>
Other IMC volunteers immediately called the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who helped Indymedia when Seattle IMC was served with an order by the FBI in April. According to information obtained by an EFF representative, Agent Esposito was given indymedia contact information by the Seattle FBI office, and was instructed to follow up on a lead they had received. The lead involved some kind of "anthrax threat." Agent Esposito indicated that the FBI is interested in reviewing Indymedia server logs. Agent Esposito also indicated that, to his knowledge, the "threat" appeared on the Arizona IMC website.
<br><br>
Following the FBI order in April, the Indymedia tech collective decided to stop recording IP addresses of website visitors. The IP address is the "key" to identifying website visitors. Without IP addresses, most Indymedia web traffic is anonymous. However, this is not absolute protection. Use of internet spying and devices like Carnivore allow the FBI to obtain this information without going through Indymedia.
<br><br>
Website users who wish to remain anonymous should utilize "anonymous web proxies." These are websites which allow you to surf other websites, while protecting your identity. Not all anonymizer services are safe. For instance, SafeWeb.com, based in Oakland, is largely funded by the CIA. Currently, many people are relying on the anonymizer offered by the European Counter Network, at https://proxy1.autistici.org/
For more information:
http://www.indymedia.org/fbi/
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IMC Network
(let's note how precise "espes" recall is here)
You replied that you would not answer unless your lawyer were present. what the fuck are you worried about? your first amendment is intact. people can still come and post and have an open discussion. do you think imc wouldm want anyone using their site to coordinate an attack? I doubt it so they should work with the cops.
"Agent Esposito also mentioned something about "terrorist threats," but Espe could not recall the exact context. "
Here "espe" loses her memory. It would seem a good reason to cooperate with the cops if it will prevent any more histeria.
Maybe the middle class white kids from imc have something to hide? I doubt it so just help out the cops so WE know you're cool.
"The lead involved some kind of "anthrax threat." Agent Esposito indicated that the FBI is interested in reviewing Indymedia server logs. Agent Esposito also indicated that, to his knowledge, the "threat" appeared on the Arizona IMC website."
"espe" regains her sense of accuracy again...
"Following the FBI order in April, the Indymedia tech collective decided to stop recording IP addresses of website visitors. The IP address is the "key" to identifying website visitors. Without IP addresses, most Indymedia web traffic is anonymous. However, this is not absolute protection. Use of internet spying and devices like Carnivore allow the FBI to obtain this information without going through Indymedia."
so if they can get the info without your coopearation in the first place... maybe you're just scared to show most of your visitors also troll adult and dating sites.
imc just works with the cops. i am sure you have nothing to hide. you have good lawyers and if there are some criminals amongst you, wouldn't you want them "brought to justice"?
that Esposito's who he claimed to be, or that he's researching
what he claimed to be. Answering a "Can you access the logs?"
question with "Yes" seems like begging to come home to find
one's family's disappeared and a note saying "To see them
again, give us the logs." - if the FBI has real grounds to suspect
that Indymedia's being used to plan terrorist attacks, they
can obtain a subpoena for the logs, appear in person, and
demand them then. Vague intelligence-gathering is more
relevant to a group looking for surreptitious access to the
logs...
-George Washington
However
You could publish the location of a small protest against Smash to be located outside his home.......
Are you threatened?
Quit whining.
It's childish.
GO SPEED SMASHY GO !!!!
http://www.uncanny.net/~wetzel/
make sure to talk to the guy on the right (ironic that he's stantding on the right, isn't it?)