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Draft:The Architect (pseudonym)

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The Architect is a title and pseudonym used by the systems architects for leaking groups like WikiLeaks, OpenLeaks and Distributed Denial of Secrets.

WikiLeaks[edit]

The WikiLeaks dropbox architecture was rebuilt by a WikiLeaks programmer known to most insiders as "The Architect".[1][2][3] He also instructed another WikiLeaks technician, and some of his colleagues thought he was a computer genius.[4][5][6] According to Andy Greenberg, insiders told him "when The Architect joined WikiLeaks it was a mess. It was two creaking servers without all the flashy security that Assange had promised in interviews with the media. The Architect rebuilt it from scratch."[1] According to Wired, The Architect separated the sensitive components like the submission and e-mail archives from the public-facing Wiki and set up servers in various countries.[2][3][7]

During the 2010 reorganisation, The Architect left with Domscheit-Berg, taking the code[8] behind the submission system with him.[4][7][8][9] The Architect and Domscheit-Berg encrypted the files and gave them to a third party who did not have the key.[10] WikiLeaks submissions stayed offline for four and a half years, until May 2015.[11][12]

OpenLeaks[edit]

On December 17, 2010, Domscheit-Berg announced the intention to start a site named OpenLeaks[13][14] with the intention of being more transparent than WikiLeaks. Several other members of WikiLeaks left with Domscheit-Berg to join OpenLeaks, The Architect.[1][6][8]

Distributed Denial of Secrets[edit]

Distributed Denial of Secrets was founded by Emma Best, an American national security reporter known for filing prolific freedom of information requests, and an anonymous partner known as The Architect.[15][16][17] According to Best, The Architect, who they already knew, expressed their desire to see a new platform for leaked and hacked materials, along with other relevant datasets. The Architect provided the initial technical expertise for the project.[18]

Best said they know who “The Architect” was for Distributed Denial of Secrets, but not if it’s the same person who left Wikileaks in 2010. Best said she knows “people would like that narrative" but that she didn't ask because she didn't need to know.[18]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Perlroth, Nicole (27 October 2012). "One On One: Andy Greenberg, Author, "This Machine Kills Secrets"". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b Khan, Jemima (10 June 2021). "Jemima Khan on Julian Assange: how the Wikileaks founder alienated his allies". New Statesman. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b Zetter, Kim (10 February 2011). "WikiLeaks Defector Slams Assange in Tell-All Book Threat Level". Wired. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014.. Wired.com (10 February 2011). Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Wikileaks site in limbo without architect – ABC Radio". AM – ABC Radio. 3 October 2011. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  5. ^ "WikiLeaks 'Architect' threatens site's future". ABC News. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE – WikiLeaks: The Next Generation". Reuters. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  7. ^ a b Greenberg, Andy. "Ex-WikiLeaker Claims Defectors Took Control Of Leaks From Assange". Forbes. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "Here Comes OpenLeaks: How It Won't Be WikiLeaks". The Awl. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  9. ^ Greenberg, Andy (27 September 2012). "How Two Bulgarian Journalists Created a WikiLeaks Copycat That Actually Worked". Slate. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  10. ^ Greenberg, Andy (2013). This machine kills secrets: Julian Assange, the cypherpunks, and their fight to empower whistleblowers. New York, [New York]: Plume book. ISBN 978-0-14-218049-5.
  11. ^ "WikiLeaks – Some notes on the new WikiLeaks next-generation submission system beta". wikileaks.org. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2023.[self-published source]
  12. ^ Greenberg, Andy. "WikiLeaks Finally Brings Back Its Submission System for Your Secrets". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  13. ^ Piven, Ben (17 December 2010). "Copycat WikiLeaks sites make waves". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
  14. ^ "About OpenLeaks". OpenLeaks. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  15. ^ "Distributed Denial of Secrets is picking up where WikiLeaks left off". Mic. 2021-10-21. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  16. ^ "How DDoSecrets built the go-to home for Russian leaks". therecord.media. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  17. ^ "Distributed Denial of Secrets is picking up where WikiLeaks left off". Mic. 2021-10-21. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  18. ^ a b Thielman, Sam (February 6, 2019). "A new group devoted to transparency is exposing secrets Wikileaks chose to keep". Columbia Journalism Review. Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.