The internet in Germany is in uproar from a new attack on the right-wing government websites. Hacktivist group Anonymous has taken on a new operation, called "Operation Blitzkrieg", in which they are attacking the right-wing government websites following their neo-nazi revelations of late, and the ties they may have had in relation to a recent 7 year killing spree of at least ten people. Anonymous released a website called nazi-leaks.net which has released sensitive information of the right-wing groups. They have also periodically been shutting down different right-wing websites. No legal action has been taken of yet, as it is an anonymous coalition of hackers, but there is rumor of attempted legal action.
This article has somewhat of a multi-cultural part to it. Anonymous has hacked groups around the world in the last few years. But it takes a more cultural turn towards Germany in that, the groups they are attacking are tied deeply with neo-nazi groups. It's kind of scary to think about neo-nazi groups still being around. It is a very segregational group that in the past has been found convicted of killing those that are not like them, similar to the nazis of World War II. It's hard to agree with a group of hackers that is attacking people, but I feel that they are not all wrong in what they are doing. Neo-nazi culture is a bad part of the German culture, something that hopefully can be one day expelled.
These hackings are quite similar to hackings that have taken place in America by these same groups. America had some if it's own government secrets leaked this past year on a site called wikileaks. When banks and credit card companies began to take away their support for this site, Anonymous went and hacked their sites. This group is very concerned about internet freedom, regardless of country and rules. It's crazy to think that they have taken things so secret to governments around the world and just set them free for others to read. America took quick action against wikileaks, taking down the website, and eventually jailing the person responsible. Germany has taken a much slower response; they have also still not been able to find the individuals responsible. Part of the Anonymous core being; being completely and totally unknown.
I think it could have a very negative immediate effect on Germany. People may be in uproar about the recent things found out about the government groups, which could cause riots. The hacking will create a lot of unrest between people on either side of the belief systems. However, ultimately I think it will be a good thing for Germany. It is showing the neo-nazis for who they are, which will hopefully lead toward the eventual eradication of the neo-nazi group from Germany. With them gone, I think Germany will have much more chance to prosper, find good leadership, and become a great leader in the world.
I like the way you look at both sides of the argument about the role of Anonymous. It is more complicated that it appears at first. Do you think this group is a modern-day Robin Hood, on the side of oppressed groups? How do they decide whom to expose?
ReplyDeleteThe Neo-Nazi group is quite small in Germany in terms of total population, yet gets a lot of attention for obvious reasons. Can you see any parallels to American terror groups?
I enjoyed your article analysis. You weren't biased and you came at it from both sides. It really opened my mind and made me think of all of the bigger problems.
ReplyDeleteOh Anonymous... If people only really knew. I remember one of the first major "organized" protests Anonymous did against Scientology. I do believe that it was a world wide effort too. I wonder how the German people feel about the less than legal side of Anonymous. Even with their actions in the current protest and attacks against the Neo-Nazi groups, they still were breaking laws to meet their objectives.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading this article it actually put fear into me. Because at any time this group could hack into anything from defense systems and leak security information. Or businesses such as credit card companies and steal money. However I like how you show an unbiased report of it which doesn't really reflect an opinion for either side. This article kept your interest because it didn't just focus on 1 view and was quite informative of this problem.
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