14 DAY TRIAL // Shortly after the world found out about the suicide of the now infamous Amanda Todd, some Anonymous hackers became involved in finding the individual that’s responsible for her misery. However, while some hacktivists claim to have identified the perpetrator, others claim that Amanda Todd doesn’t exist.
A video published on the Fawkes Security YouTube account encourages users to stand together to defeat “the propaganda which is Amanda Todd.”
“As some of you may have noticed, the official page announcing her death was created on August 10th, 2012. Isn't it mysterious that this Amanda Todd passed away on October 10th, 2012? I think so, and many citizens of the world agree,” they stated.
“Do any of you know the parents' name of Amanda Todd? No,” the hacktivists added.
While some say that the video itself is a hoax, it’s possible that some online activists really do believe that everything is just a propaganda stunt.
Considering that Anonymous can be anyone that fights for the Anonymous ideals, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if some hackers – others than the ones who named “Viper” or the 32-year-old from New Westminster as being the culprits – did their own investigation and drew this conclusion.
Security experts agree that something must be done to combat cyberbullying. However, they argue that this lone ranger method adopted by Anonymous might not be the best answer, considering that they can ruin an innocent man’s life if they don’t get it right.
“I can imagine how publishing an alleged tormentor's name, address and employment history online could lead to the same kind of ugly online persecution that Amanda Todd had to face,” Sophos’ Graham Cluley noted.
“It's not brave to hide behind an anonymous mask and publish details of the man you blame for Amanda's depression and ultimate suicide. Take that info to the cops instead.”
Finally, the hackers who have published the “Amanda Todd propaganda” video might not have their facts straight. The girl does have parents and the whole world knows their names.
Here is the video:
