Anti-ACTA hackers attack Polish websites

23 Jan 2012

Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk

Anonymous hackers today attacked Polish government websites, including the website of the Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk. Poland is to be one of the first countries in Europe to sign the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) later this week.

Yesterday, hackers began attacking the websites of the culture and defence ministries. Anonymous tweeted on Twitter: “Polish revolution ins beginning.”

Anonymous this morning suspended the attacks until after Tusk and his ministers discuss Poland signing the international ACTA legislation.

As reported earlier on Siliconrepublic.com, ACTA is in the process of being ratified around the world. But lack of public consultation has left many wondering about the impact of the ACTA treaty on civil liberties and internet innovation.

Ostensibly, ACTA relates to combating counterfeit physical goods, such as drugs. However, it also contains measures related to intellectual property and online commerce.

Following last week’s SOPA and PIPA protests in the US, a lack of consultation no doubt raises the public’s hackles.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com