The full names and addresses of 5,300 Sky broadband customers have been leaked on to the internet, alongside a list of pornographic movies they are alleged to have shared online. The list was obtained from the firm ACS:Law, a firm specializing in intellectual property law. Privacy expert Simon Davis has called it “one of the worst breaches” of the UK Data Protection Act he had ever seen.
The documents appeared on line after users of 4chan, an image board website, attacked ACS:Law’s site in retaliation for its anti-piracy efforts. Users of the site are renowned for online activism and direct action. “Operation payback”, which took place recently, was an attack on the websites of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was done in revenge for the associations’ action against The Pirate Bay, a website for films and music. The group has declared it will continue to target other sites involved in anti online piracy activity — so watch out. (via BBC)
