NATO Report Threatens To 'Persecute' Anonymous

Stoobalou writes "NATO leaders have been warned that Wikileaks-loving 'hacktivist' collective Anonymous could pose a threat to member states' security, following recent attacks on the US Chamber of Commerce and defence contractor HBGary — and promise to 'persecute' its members." From the article: "In a toughly-worded draft report to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, General Rapporteur Lord Jopling claims that the loose-knit, leaderless group is 'becoming more and more sophisticated,' and 'could potentially hack into sensitive government, military, and corporate files.'"

Comments

Acts of War

[Alphanos]

Oh. When we saw the story the other day that the US had declared that hacking and similar online attacks could be considered acts of war, I didn't understand the purpose of such a statement. Now I understand.

I think we might be seeing the start of America's next war on a general concept.

Any bets as to what the target will be stated as? Anonymity? The Internet in general?

Re:Acts of War

[Anonymous Coward]

It will be a war not fought to be won, but to be sustained; sustaining the military-industrial-security complex.

Anyone can be a suspect.

Re:Persecuting your own citizens

[dgatwood]

Hey, NATO,

What's the matter? You've been telling us for years that if we didn't do anything wrong, there's no need for privacy. Welcome to our world.

Sincerely,
Everyone

Translation

[wcrowe]

Translation: we now have a convenient bogeyman to use as an excuse to exercise greater control over the masses.

Governments should be afraid of their people

[Omnifarious]

I can only hope that Anonymous exceeds their expectations. Right now, it looks like they think Anonymous is a threat they can crush. I dearly hope that it isn't. My government should be quaking in its boots at the thought of angering a significant minority of those it governs. "Government by consent of the governed." has meant far too little for far too long.

Re:Persecuting your own citizens

[dgatwood]

No, no, no, you misunderstood me. If the NATO member nations were doing nothing wrong, then they would have no need for privacy, and thus by their own logic, the actions of anonymous are ethical and reasonable.

just following orders

[Thud457]

Bradley Manning has instigated more positive change in the world than the whole CIA in the last 30 years.
His handlers should let the cat out of the bag and accept the kudos they deserve. Talk about bang for the buck!