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Tor Project Confirms Sexual Misconduct By Developer Jacob Appelbaum (theverge.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: The Tor Project, a nonprofit known for its online anonymity software, says it has verified claims that former employee Jacob Appelbaum engaged in "sexually aggressive behavior" with people inside and outside of its organization. "We have confirmed that the events did take place as reported," Shari Steele, Tor's executive director, tells The Verge. In a blog post today, Steele says that Tor began an investigation into Appelbaum's behavior after several people came forward with allegations of misconduct in late May. In a statement made in June, he said the allegations were "entirely false." He resigned from the Tor Project in May. "I want to thank all the people who broke the silence around Jacob's behavior," Steele writes. "It is because of you that this issue has now been addressed. I am grateful you spoke up, and I acknowledge and appreciate your courage." Steele says that Tor is now implementing a new anti-harassment policy, as well as a process for submitting complaints and having them reviewed. The changes will be put in place this week. Tor also announced last month that it would replace its entire board of directors.

3 of 410 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Rule of thumb: believe the man by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is a case of hipster he said she said. SJW 'logic' likely applies.

    http://jacobappelbaum.net/ This site reeks of typical SJW style faux fear of intimidation.

  2. Re:Hatchet jobs aside by nonsequitor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I personally know some of the people that came forward, they had no agenda other than stopping a serial sexual predator / harrasser. I was sad when I heard the story break, but not surprised because Jake's an asshole if you're not somebody. Where somebody is defined as a person whose work he can steal, someone to intoxicate and lure into bed, or someone that can enhance his reputation.

    Shame on you for suggesting otherwise, and shame on the mods who modded you up.

    Whether or not Tor is backdoored or otherwise compromised is a totally different issue. As for something new made by trustable people, Jacob doesn't have the technical ability to do a project like this on his own, he's a charming sociopath that worms his way into the circles of people that can. Good for Tor to give him the boot and cleaning house of the people who turned a blind eye to his misconduct.

  3. Re:Rule of thumb: believe the man by Shadow+of+Eternity · · Score: 5, Informative

    Stewart (1981)
    Maclean (1979)
    Gregory and Lees (1996)
    Kanin (1994)
    Jordan (2004)
    Grace et al. (1992)
    Chambers and Millar (1983)
    Philadelphia police study (1968)
    McCahill et al. (1979)

    all rates from 90% down to 18% false. If you extend the floor to 10% then the plurality becomes a majority. The only people pushing the "false accusations don't exist" claim are the same people who support a reversal of the burden of proof, "listen and believe" lynch mobbing, and the mathematically absurd claims that virtually every woman in the united states has been or will be raped.

    In other words ideologues who directly profit in money, prestige, and social influence by controlling women through fear.

    --
    A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."