This Machine Kills Secrets: How WikiLeakers, Cypherpunks, and Hacktivists Aim to Free the World’s Information by Andy Greenberg. Andy a senior writer at Wired magazine and previously wrote for Forbes. This Machine Kills Secrets is a New York Times Editors’ Choice selection.
Andy is focusing on politically motivated whistleblowing resulting in data leaks of state secrets. In addition, stories of famous hackers including WikiLeaks and Julian Assange, L0pht, and Anonymous. A core understanding of cypherpunks and hacktivists is necessary. The bulk of the book is about WikiLeaks.
Perhaps Andy’s timing was unknowingly off by less than on year after publication. Edward Snowden had not yet leaked his trove of data.
However Andy begins with the long, famous history of The Pentagon Papers. Perhaps the most important takeaway is the timeframe of Daniel Ellsberg. I very much appreciated the efforts Andy shared that Daniel confronted in 1969
The key element not be overlooked is the use of technology. In 2022, technology used to leak the Pentagon Papers is in fact a common part of everyday life. A second factor is where Andy looks at Daniel’s vast role in the conduct of the war while at RAND, and his deep knowledge.
In contrast, Assange just wants anyone with access to sensitive data to steal and share it. WikiLeaks somewhat began under the principle of “principled leaking,” that allowed globally connected individuals to use the metaphors of a wiki to fight corruption. Yet the scale and impact of technology has greatly changed this landscape:
One of Manning’s Lady Gaga CDs offered enough capacity to have stored the Pentagon Papers about fifty times over, and the laser head that wrote to those discs could have accomplished in a minute or two what required a year of off-and-on work for Ellsberg and his photocopier.
p.39
Chaos pure and simple
Now add the ability for Putin’s old KGB to manipulate WikiLeaks. In fact, Assange drove WikiLeaks to become a source for classified documents:
The other goal in WikiLeaks’ game—or perhaps just a bonus perk for a fire-starter like Assange—was its potential for explosive chaos.
p. 219
This should not be understated: The goal Assange wanted to create was indeed chaos. Putin saw an opportunity.
From WikiLeaks to Bradley Manning
Chaos is today certainly playing out to be Assange’s self-fulfilling prophecy. It would prove his undoing as he will be in US court soon. I recall the launch of WikiLeaks as the ability to quickly report news from around the world. Initially it appeared to be a shot at becoming a global wiki newspaper with anyone connected to the internet serving as a reporter.
Yet, WikiLeaks became part of the internet crime wave. In fact, it appears WikiLeaks was open to state sponsored cyber attacks resulting in leaks of large databases. During the 2016 Presidential Election, Russia hacked the Democratic National Committee. As a result, stolen emails were coordinated with Assange to leak during the DNC national convention. Wikileaks became a tool of Putin’s old KGB.
Deep insights to a changing world
In conclusion, Andy is providing a broad lesson in data leaks. The impacts are still being felt today in America. This is an excellent follow up to Sandworm and I look forward to Andy’s next book.