Birdsong Information Services

February, 2009

Overview
Wikileaks, https://secure.wikileaks.org/wiki/Wikileaks is a wiki that allows individuals to anonymously contribute information. The leaked content is primarily oriented towards corporate or government documents that hint at misconduct. In Wikileaks.org own words, “Wikileaks is developing an uncensorable Wikipedia for untraceable mass document leaking and analysis. Our primary interest is in exposing oppressive regimes in Asia, the former Soviet bloc, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, but we are of assistance to people of nations who wish to reveal unethical behavior in their governments and corporations.

Today, February 19, 2009, it was learned that Wikileaks.org made a mistake when someone from the organization, sent out an emergency request for funds last Saturday to their existing donors, and forgot to list the donor’s name in the Bcc line of the email. Instead, the donors were listed in the Cc line for all on the email list to see. It seems someone decided to post this email list anonymously on Wikileaks.org, publicly exposing Wikileaks donors. In an effort to show its impartiality, Wikileaks decided to post the email on their website where remains at the date of this writing.

Wikileaks.org (http://www.wikileaks.org) is in the center of issues regarding the sharing of information on the Internet and what is legal and ethical. For those interested in identifying credible sources this website provides unease when the source is unknown on what appears to be an “important document.” The debate on both sides is deep and passionate and has ramifications for all Internet users.

Wikileaks.org has provided examples and issues for Internet users to think about. With the smaller issues such as email etiquette remember to Bcc emails sent out to groups unless permission has been received in advance and generally forwarding an email should have the permission of the sender. The larger issue of posting information anonymously requires much thought from the individual before a decision is made.

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