US journalist jailed for posting links to stolen data

A United States (US) reporter with connections to the "hacktivist" group Anonymous has been sentenced to five years imprisonment after posting online links to stolen data.

The reporter, 33-year old Barett Brown (pictured above at an earlier protest), first faced charges that could have led to over a century in prison but the sentence was reduced after he pleaded guilty last year. He claimed that he broke the law to reveal details of illegal government activity. He was arrested posting a link to data hacked from the US-based private intelligence firm Stratfor.

Brown was indicted with over 10 counts relating to the Startfor data breach. Of these, he plead guilty to three last April, including the obstruction of a police search, making threats over the internet and a charge pertaining to his part in sharing the Stratfor data.

The case has been the focus of criticism from advocates of free speech and media rights organisations, including Glenn Greenwald -- a journalist who published the US National Security Agency (NSA) spying programme unveiled by whistle-blower Edward Snowden. A website has also been set up, dedicated exclusively to drawing supporters and donations to aid Brown's case.

by Kevin Andrews

#hacktivist #tech #international #anonymous