What is WikiLeaks?

Summary

This Cold Fusion video provides a factual and historical overview of WikiLeaks, avoiding political discussions. It explains WikiLeaks as a nonprofit organization founded by Julian Assange in 2006, focused on publishing anonymous leaks and secret documents. Assange, a skilled hacker, devised a system allowing whistleblowers to submit classified information anonymously. The video details WikiLeaks' legal protections under U.S. law, its global impact, and Assange's current legal troubles, including his ongoing asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. The video ends by discussing WikiLeaks' continued role in revealing government secrets.

Takeaways

• 📅 WikiLeaks was founded in 2006 by Julian Assange, an Australian computer programmer and hacker.
• 🔐 WikiLeaks publishes news leaks from anonymous sources and does not engage in the hacking itself, acting as a middleman for sensitive documents.
• 🌍 The organization is run by volunteers from multiple countries and has released more secret documents than all global media combined.
• 💼 WikiLeaks' goal is to provide the public with important news by publishing original source material alongside their stories for transparency.
• 🛡️ The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that publishing leaked documents is protected by the U.S. Constitution as long as the publisher didn't break the law to obtain them.
• 💻 WikiLeaks uses an anonymous online Dropbox system to receive documents, ensuring the security and privacy of whistleblowers.
• 🏛️ The organization operates from a former nuclear bunker in Sweden, due to Sweden's strong legal protections for such activities.
• 💰 A financial blockade by major companies like MasterCard, Visa, and PayPal reduced WikiLeaks' funding by 95%, leading them to rely on Bitcoin for donations.
• 🚨 Julian Assange is currently in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, fearing extradition to the U.S. after facing various charges, including sexual assault in Sweden.
• 🌐 Assange's internet was cut off by Ecuador in 2016 following damaging leaks related to the U.S. Democratic Party, leaving him isolated in the embassy.

Q & A

What is WikiLeaks and when was it founded?

WikiLeaks is a journalistic organization that publishes news leaks from anonymous sources via its website. It was founded in 2006 in Iceland by Australian computer programmer Julian Assange.

What is the goal of WikiLeaks according to its website?

WikiLeaks' goal is to bring important news and information to the public by publishing original source material alongside news stories, allowing readers and historians to verify the truth.

Does WikiLeaks hack or uncover sensitive information on its own?

No, WikiLeaks does not conduct the hacking or uncovering of sensitive information. It acts as a middleman, passing on documents submitted to it by anonymous sources.

Why does WikiLeaks operate anonymously, and how does it protect whistleblowers?

WikiLeaks operates anonymously to protect whistleblowers, using an online dropbox system devised by Julian Assange, which allows for anonymous submission of documents without prosecution. The website's traffic cannot be tracked, ensuring privacy for users.

What protections does WikiLeaks have under U.S. law?

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Constitution protects the anonymity of individuals revealing documents in the context of political discourse. WikiLeaks, as a media organization, benefits from these protections as long as they didn't break laws to obtain the documents.

Why did Amazon Web Services stop hosting WikiLeaks?

Amazon Web Services stopped hosting WikiLeaks due to a policy breach, stating that WikiLeaks did not hold the rights to the content on its site. Many speculate that upper management at Amazon may have felt pressure due to WikiLeaks' controversial nature.

What legal actions have been taken against Julian Assange?

The U.S. government has attempted to charge Julian Assange under the Espionage Act of 1917 and with stolen property charges, but these efforts have been difficult due to First Amendment protections. He is currently seeking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning related to sexual assault charges.

Why is Julian Assange currently in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London?

Julian Assange has been in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden for sexual assault charges, which he denies. Assange fears being extradited from Sweden to the U.S., where he believes he could face the death penalty.

What challenges has WikiLeaks faced in terms of funding?

In 2010, financial organizations like MasterCard, Visa, PayPal, Western Union, and Bank of America cut off 95% of WikiLeaks' funding. The organization now relies on donations through Bitcoin.

What was the response to Julian Assange's internet being cut off by Ecuador in 2016?

After Ecuador cut off Julian Assange's internet access in October 2016, WikiLeaks announced that his internet link had been intentionally severed by a 'state party.' This action occurred after a series of damaging leaks related to the U.S. Democratic Party.