In a significant data breach, activist Emma Best has publicly released over 11,000 private messages from a Twitter group associated with WikiLeaks and its close supporters, dating from 2015 to 2017. This release has exposed the internal discussions of an organization known for disseminating confidential information.
The exposed messages had previously been referenced by media outlets in the United States earlier this year, but this marks the first instance of their complete publication online, enabling the public to examine the content firsthand. Best’s blog provides nearly the full context of the chat, with minimal redactions made to protect the identities of unrelated individuals. Specifically, these redactions do not obscure information relevant to WikiLeaks or its activities.
The leaked messages reveal a clear bias within the organization, illustrating strong favoritism towards Republican candidates, as well as harsh critiques of Democratic figures such as Hillary Clinton. In one conspicuous instance from November 2015, a message attributed to the WikiLeaks account referred to Clinton in derogatory terms while suggesting that a Republican victory would be preferable.
This data leak raises questions surrounding the tactics that may have been employed to monitor and manipulate the discussions within the chat group. Employing elements from the MITRE ATT&CK framework, potential techniques might include initial access through social engineering to gain login details, as well as the establishment of persistence within the group by exploiting vulnerabilities in user behavior or platform security.
Throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, WikiLeaks made headlines by publicly releasing stolen emails from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and other high-profile targets, further intensifying scrutiny on their operational methods. The conversations highlighted by Best also contain numerous instances of offensive language and discriminatory remarks, which she noted as documented evidence of the group’s controversial stance.
Best reported that the chats included homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and other forms of bigotry, reflecting a troubling narrative that extends beyond simple political commentary. Such content, presented as humor, serves to illustrate the broader cultural issues within the organization.
In addition to the politically charged discussions, some messages indicated WikiLeaks’ involvement in orchestrating legal actions against perceived adversaries and advocating for criminal investigations into opposing figures. While many of the conversations align with the known public positions of WikiLeaks, others introduced unexpected perspectives.
Notably, the interactions displayed a dismissive attitude towards former President Barack Obama, characterizing him as merely a “centralizer” who obstructs true representation. This highlights a consistent thread of skepticism towards Democratic leaders.
Following Best’s publication of these messages, WikiLeaks’ official Twitter account raised concerns about potential manipulation, claiming evidence of tampering within the chat logs, which could influence the reliability of the data. Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, remains in asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, but reports indicate that Ecuador may withdraw this protection and hand him over to British authorities.
For business owners, the implications of such a breach extend beyond the immediate scandal; they underscore the importance of robust security measures, transparency, and a solid understanding of data protection laws. As organizations navigate the constantly evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, recognizing the potential tactics outlined in frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK can bolster defenses against similar incidents that may arise in their sectors.
