Aaron Swartz files reveal how FBI tracked internet activist

[donnay]

Aaron Swartz files reveal how FBI tracked internet activist

Amanda Holpuch (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/19/aaron-swartz-fbi-tracked-classified-documents)
Guardian, UK
Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00 CST

http://www.sott.net/image/image/s6/132421/medium/Aaron_Swartz_008.jpg
© Noah Berger/Reuters
Aaron Swartz. The FBI also collected information from his Facebook and Linkedin profiles.

Firedoglake blogger Daniel Wright publishes once-classified FBI documents that show extent of agency's investigation into Swartz

A blogger has published once-classified FBI files that show how the agency tracked and collected information on internet (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/internet)activist Aaron Swartz.

Swartz, who killed himself in January aged 26, had previously requested his files and posted them on his blog (http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/fbifile), but some new documents and redactions are included in the files published by Firedoglake blogger Daniel Wright (http://news.firedoglake.com/2013/02/19/aaron-swartzs-fbi-file/).

Wright was given 21 of 23 declassified documents, thanks to a rule that declassifies FBI files on the deceased. Wright said that he was told the other two pages of documents were not provided because of freedom of information subsections concerning privacy, "sources and methods," and that can "put someone's life in danger."

The FBI's files concern Swartz's involvement in accessing the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (Pacer) documents. In pursuit of their investigation, the FBI had collected his personal information and was surveilling an Illinois address where he had his IP address registered.

Aaron H. Swartz (http://www.scribd.com/doc/126146785/Aaron-H-Swartz-FBI-File) FBI File by Daniel Wright (http://www.scribd.com/dwright_482898)

[DamianTV]

Relinked directly to story...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/19/aaron-swartz-fbi-tracked-classified-documents

[MRK]

"Investigation has determined that the Amazon IP address used to access the PACER system belongs to Aaron Swartz. "

Technically though, I don't think he even did anything wrong unless they nailed him on intent to distribute the files (which in itself is not a criminal act), or somehow violated the library's policies (does it say you can't make automated requests?) and was popped for unauthorized access of a computer. Maybe it was the latter times the number of times it occurred that equaled his long sentence. Does anyone know what his crimes were?

And to think if he had used a proxy from some third world country this wouldn't have happened.

There's something very important to be learned here. Always keep yourself secured even if you're just doing something harmless.

[DamianTV]

Oh look at that. Facebook. Duh.

VPN and Proxy Servers FTW.

[tangent4ronpaul]

hmmm...

anyone seen this?

Hacking collective Anonymous released a State Department database Monday in memory of Swartz. The files included employees' personal information such as addresses, phone number and emails.

-t