A certain group of hacktivists took the initiative to attack Finnish anti-piracy websites after an ISP within the country was forced to remove access to a file-sharing website from its users. The news comes from officials who spoke in Finland today.
Antti Kotilainen, a spokesman for Finland's Copyright Information and Anti-Piracy Center (CIAPC), said that websites run under his organization's wing and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry have both been taken down since yesterday. He continued, saying that, “it isn't the first time this has happened. [They] have no precise information [about] who is behind this.”
Perhaps we can't pinpoint who did this “atrocity,” but a group of hacktivists that goes by the name of Anonymous Finland came forward, claiming to be responsible for the attacks. The message was posted on Twitter, adding that they'll keep the CIAPC site down as long as they want.
This attack was a response to a case brought up by the CIAPC and IFPI in May 2011 against a local ISP called Elisa. The two organizations forced the ISP to block its subscribers from accessing a file-sharing website from Sweden known as The Pirate Bay.
The District Court at Helsinki placed an order for Elisa to block access to The Pirate Bay unless it wants to suffer a fine of 100 thousand Euros. The service provider obviously chose to temporarily block access. Both parties involved against Elisa suffered for their involvement when their websites were rendered inaccessible, an obvious message from hackers who want to protest the government's involvement in telling people what they can touch.
In the meantime, Elisa clearly shows its intent of appealing the case that was brought forth in October, proven by a statement directed at its customers.
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Miguel Leiva-Gomez is a professional writer with experience in computer sciences, technology, and gadgets. He has written for multiple technology and travel outlets and owns his own tech blog called The Tech Guy, where he writes educational, informative, and sometimes comedic articles for an audience that is less versed in technology.Edited by
Jennifer Russell