Anonymous Activist Group Threatens to Bring Down FaceBook

An Anonymous video has been released that shows the group threatening to blow up Facebook on Nov. 5^. Anonymous is an activist group that revolts against big government and agencies usually by hacking.

The written statement accompanying the YouTube video states, “We wish to get your attention, hoping you heed the warnings as follows: Your medium of communication you all so dearly adore will be destroyed, if you are a willing hacktivist or a guy who just wants to protect the freedom of information then join the cause and kill Facebook for the sake of your own privacy.”

The reason for the threat is believed to be the allegations surrounding Facebook.  Facebook has been accused of selling its users’ personal information to government agencies, specifically authoritarian regimes such as Syria and Egypt.

“You cannot hide from the reality in which you, the people of the internet, live in,” the description on the video reads. “Facebook is the opposite of the Antisec cause. You are not safe from them nor from any government. One day you will look back on this and realize what we have done here is right, you will thank the rulers of the Internet, we are not harming you but saving you.”

Main group members of Anonymous have stated that they are not behind the Facebook attack and do not support it, claiming it’s not “their style.”  Anonymous has many different Twitter and YouTube accounts showcasing its very loose structure.  Anonymous lacks a declared leader or spokesperson to represent the group.

Believing in the end of Facebook might prove to be futile since empty threats have existed in the past when dealing with Anonymous.  The activist group has claimed to undergo hacks into the Iranian government, PayPal, Visa, FBI, and other government agencies.

Even the group’s philosophy remains unclear.  Although it is apparent that Anonymous dislikes big governments or police agencies, it is unknown how the hacking ties into the revolt against Facebook.

The reason for the Nov. 5 expiration date on Facebook is because it is Guy Fawkes Day.  In 1605, Guy Fawkes was arrested for guarding explosives beneath the London’s House of Lords that he intended to use to attempt to kill numerous head politicians including King James I.  Members and supporters of Anonymous adopted the Guy Fawkes mask as a symbol for their group.

Gwen Belomy, a spokeswoman for Facebook, said the company is declining to comment on the supposed threat against the vitality of the largest social networking site.

Photo Courtesy of pittay via Flickr