12 posts and columns on activism

WikiLeaks Alleges Relationship With Web Activist Aaron Swartz

in News on January 20 at 12:33 am PT

The whistle-blowing organization surfaces new claims of ties to the late Web activist.
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Amid Activist Outcry, U.S. Attorney Defends Prosecution of Aaron Swartz

in News on January 16 at 9:43 pm PT

U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz speaks out for the first time since Aaron Swartz’s death.
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News Byte

Congresswoman to Propose Computer Crimes Amendment in Wake of Activist’s Death

in News on January 16 at 3:00 am PT

Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) plans to introduce a bill to Congress that would severely curtail the “broad scope of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act,” the congresswoman announced Tuesday evening. The CFAA enabled the U.S. government to levy steep fines and a potential lengthy prison sentence against Internet activist Aaron Swartz for his alleged computer crimes, a course of action which some have claimed contributed to Swartz’s recent suicide. Swartz’s death sparked a widespread outrage among the Web community, causing many to call for reform of the Justice Department’s computer-hacking laws.

News Byte

DOJ Drops Charges Against Late Activist Aaron Swartz

in News on January 14 at 9:57 am PT

In a filing on Monday, the Department of Justice dropped the charges against Aaron Swartz, the Internet activist who committed suicide on Friday. As first reported by The Hill, dropping charges against a deceased defendant is standard practice. In a statement on Saturday, Swartz’s family blamed prosecutorial zealotry, in part, for Swartz’s death.