Anonymous hacks US Census Bureau over TTIP agreement, leaking employee details online
Anonymous has claimed responsibility for a cyber-attack against a US
government website, resulting in the leak of sensitive employee data.
Members of the online activist collective Anonymous have taken credit
for an attack on the United States Census Bureau website and the
publication of data that includes employee names, email addresses, phone
numbers and positions within the US government. The leaked data, which
has been published online, also includes password hashes – which are
difficult, but not impossible, to crack.
The US Census Bureau gathers data on every US resident once every 10
years, as well as data on its economy every five years. It’s mission
statement includes the line: "We honour privacy, protect
confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct our work
openly."
The reason for the cyber-attack is the recent Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
(TTIP), both of which are top priorities for the Obama administration
and promise a radical reform of the global politico-economic system,
with integration and convergence of major Atlantic and Pacific nations.
Among the many oppositions to the twin agreements is the way they have
been drawn up in secret, with Anonymous being vocal in its opposition.
While the leak is far from the most serious the US government is
dealing with at the moment – that would be the massive data breach
affecting the Office of Personnel Management – it is nonetheless
embarrassing.
- Members of online activist group Anonymous have hacked in the US Census Bureau and leaked employee data online in protest at the TTIP agreement (Anonymous)
