FBI Investigation against IMC Athens
Wanneer: 24/09/2014 - 18:21
Created by: IMC soli. Created on: 16.09.2014 - 11:26. Happened on: Tuesday, 16. September 2014.
IMC Athens
On Friday 12/9 Mayfirst collective, which houses part of Athens Indymedia's infrastructure, informed us about a subpoena they received from the Department Of Justice of the U.S on an investigation conducted by the FBI.
Specifically, the FBI demanded all personal data of subscribers using the IP addresses of Athens Indymedia (ie the members of the collective). No further explanation was given for this request and no investigation on the content of the server was mentioned. The request was, of course, not accepted by the Mayfirst collective despite the risks this action entails for its members and its infrastructure.
For us the request betrays, to a large extent, involvement of the Greek authorities. They are well aware that any search or seizure of our equipment wouldn't endanger the users of Athens Indymedia or shut down the site. They haven't managed to do so in over 14 years. We believe that this new attack exemplifies the strategy chosen by the state. By specifically targeting members of the collective they want to control and criminalize freedom of speech and dissemination of information as well as acts of social resistance.
Athens Indymedia collective conducts all necessary acts for the uninterrupted function of the site, the safety and privacy of its users, and the implementation of its strategic choices. We refuse to submit to fear and suppression the state is trying to impose on us.
We invite all those who wish and strive for a world of freedom, equality, solidarity and prosperity for all, to support in every way possible all mediums of radical counter information and Athens Indymedia.
Original can be found here:
https://athens.indymedia.org/post/1531091/
Statement on Justice Department Subpoena of Athens IMC
Created by: May First/People Link. Created on: 16.09.2014 - 23:54. Happened on: Tuesday, 16. September 2014.
The Department of Justice has issued a subpoena for specific information about a May First/People Link member using a May First/People Link server. Federal lawyers sent the subpoena on September 5, 2014 demanding specific data and account information about the Athens Indymedia Center.
There have been ongoing communications between our lawyers at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Federal officials have so far not explained the motivation for the subpoena.
May First/People Link resists disclosure of any member information to the government unless the member directs us to provide that information.
We have discussed this extensively with the member in question, Athens IMC, and have jointly decided on a response to the government to be made on our behalf by our lawyers to federal attorneys. We are awaiting the Justice Department's response.
We believe the release of member data is a violation of our members' right to privacy, a fundamental human right and one that protects the ability of our members to engage in activism and political organizing. In the case of the Athens IMC, there is particular concern since this may be a collaborative effort by the U.S. government to assist the Greek government in activities that may violate our members' rights and even end in criminal action against them.
Facilitating, defending and protecting our members' data and their ability to function as activist organizations is at the very core of MF/PL's mission. We do not cooperate with government intrusions unless the specific affected members agree to such cooperation. It is this policy that guides our actions.
We will keep members posted as to the progress of the case. At this point, most MF/PL members' data is not affected or threatened.
Sep 16 2014 - 3:51pm