Whaledump twitter account suspended

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 163 comments
Categories: accountability, national, twitter - Tags: , , ,

Whaledump’s account on Twitter has been suspended.

Someone is trying to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Update: @Whaledump2 is providing more dumps

see No Right Turn: Let the game of whackawhale commence!

Once again I’m astounded by how fast the police can act in defence of the powerful. Not. But if anyone thinks this stops anything, they’re wrong. Whaledump accounts are already proliferating across Twitter. While they’re probably all fake, eventually the real one will emerge. And as RawShark has been in contact with journalists, it should be easy to verify its authenticity (particularly if they’ve been using PGP). And then the dumping will commence again.

Update: That was quick – they’re back on @whaledump2. And if you have any doubts about their identity you can confirm it with PGP here.

lprent: Exactly. This approach has about little hope of stopping any net participant supported process. If they actually managed to trace rawshark, then by this time there will certainly be stashes with other people to push on the net in the event of a arrest. What they will trigger now is a Streisand effect where people push up time wasters to encourage the police to waste time.

There is a general conciousness that this is material that needs to deal with some net arseholes and their corrupting cretinous paymasters. This is a net issue that is far more important than the political effect. I’ve seen it happen before many times over the networks. Much of the trivial political spinners from the media and political systems haven’t realised yet that you seldom have to police the net. It tends to do that itself rather effectively. John Key and his corrupt ministers are really just collateral damage…

162 comments on “Whaledump twitter account suspended”

Comment numbers have changed to permanent references. Older quoted numbers may no longer identify the same comment.

    1. 1.1

      Actually I think it’s the case of the NZ police putting pressure on Twitter to shut down someone who was releasing hacked, private data.

      1. 1.1.1

        To be honest, I’m a little surprised the account lasted as long as it did.

        Of course any hacker worth his/her salt would have already planned for this, and have other avenues for releasing any new data.

        2. 1.1.1.2

          The reason for suspending it is to watch closely when he popped up next.

          He was using a cut-off in a different jurisdiction that posted on his behalf so there was no direct contact with the account. Very hard to track.

          When the @WhaleDump2 account popped up he was posting in real time.

          I’d bet money that someone is looking at the IP logs of that account right now.

          Since this guy seems to know what he’s doing, I’d guess they’ll find the IP points to a free Wi-Fi hotspot on a phone box somewhere in Auckland that’s been accessed by a smartphone and sim both paid for in cash. Then they’ll start looking for security camera footage in the area at that time.

          One step closer in a long chase.

          1. 1.1.1.2.1

            I’ve commented elsewhere on this blog that if he’s clever, he’ll be VPNing to a machine somewhere on the other side of the world, then connecting to Twitter via Tor from there and not storing any of the docs on his machine at home.

            You’d be taking a big risk accessing Twitter directly from anywhere. They’d be on to that in a flash.

            1. 1.1.1.2.1.1

              And because they haven’t been on to him in a “flash” he is very likely using techniques such as the ones you described.

      2. 1.1.2

        If it turns out to be the police then how about everybody lay a complaint to them about Whaleoil’s illegal entry in to Labour’s computers three years ago. Would the police close them down? Of course not. But it would make for some excellent publicity exposing them for their prejudicial behaviour.

        Oh that’s right Labour has already laid a complaint. Any response yet? Nah… it’s only the Labour Party. They don’t count.

        1. 1.1.2.1

          You are confounding a Twitter account – which is allowed entirely at the discretion of Twitter – and a private website. I doubt it takes much pressure for Twitter to shut down an account that is obviously releasing hacked data.

          It might not have been the police – it might have been one of the victims of the hack complaining to Twitter. I’m sure that Twitter would also have shut down an account that was leaking private donor information from the Labour party.

        2. 1.1.2.2

          I would not be surprised if the Government had a hand in this. Remember the response of Key to the recording of a supposed private conversation last election. The stuff happening now is of many magnitudes more serious.

          1. 1.1.2.2.1

            I would not be surprised if the Government had a hand in this.

            If you want to get intervention by a US corporate expedited, you knock on the door of: the US embassy.

        1. 1.1.3.1

          Data which is in the public interest, surely.

          Why would Twitter bother trying to work out what is in the “public interest”? The easiest thing for them to do is to simply shut down the account and avoid any legal hassles.

            1. 1.1.3.1.1.1

              How do they work out what is private?

              I presume all it would take is an appropriately written complaint, which could be backed up by citations to news reports establishing that the source of the material was a hack. All the information in the public domain has clearly established that this is the case – so it really wouldn’t take much to convince Twitter to disable the account.

              1. 1.1.3.1.1.1.1

                if activists insist on using corporate infrastructure, the corporates will have the final say. And what do you think that will be – anti-establishment or pro-establishment?

                1. 1.1.3.1.1.1.1.1

                  It depends on the establishment. If you’re Egyptian establishment you’ll just have to suck it up. Obviously NZ establishment has some pull, or at least those who pull their strings have some pull.

        1. 1.1.6.1

          Twitter shut down @AntiRacismDog (I think that’s the right handle) and all that account did was say Woof woof woof! Arrrf! in response to anyone who posted racists tweets.

          It was fascinating to watch because the racist tweeter would try and justify their tweet by reinforcing their racist stance and the barking response would infuriate them, while at the same time making them look ridiculous for arguing with a *dog*.

          My point is don’t expect any level of discernment from Twitter. I’m pretty damn sure that barking doesn’t break any site rules.

  3. 3

    Hope Whaledump has a floating IP address and will just get started under a new name. Or maybe even two or three. Or on Facebook. Hell I’ll even give him space on my blog. Let’s make sure these people know the internet is smarter and faster than their minions are.

    Let’s make this a great big game of whack-a-mole. We will be the moles and they can whack all they want that should keep them busy 😆

  4. 4

    This is a lesson for all of us. Twitter and others are corporate owned social media platforms. When the going gets tough, they will shut you down. If NYC we have even seen them shut down mobile phone/txt networks to disable protest and dissent.

  5. 5

    If it’s a case of censorship for control’s sake, I’m flattered anyone thinks the control of my mind (and presumably “yours”?) is worth the effort. It’s quite messy and, umm, low-brow in here, in an expansively sparse kind of way…

        1. 5.1.1.1

          Hmmmm I think you missed the point that the learnings of mass psychology and influence are being actively researched and implemented on social media by the Pentagon and other significant powers

          1. 5.1.1.1.1

            Interesting comment. I was chatting to a “bus friend” on the way home last night and he was telling me about a furore in the multi-billion dollar world of videogames with theories that a group of video game critics (similar to the role film critics have) have been infiltrated by US Military R&D to influence the type of video games produced and therefore influence the way video gamers think. Can’t be more specific about this as I don’t know anything about the world of video.

          1. 5.1.1.2.1

            I’m what? nah mate your comprehension skills are falling into the internet gap. Let me spell it out: why the hell would anyone want me or you on their side and how is it they think I’m so easy to control? Are you easy to control? You are?

            ***whispers*** send me all your moneeeyyy send me all your moneeeey

            yeah, that’ll do it. Now I’m rich as.

            You seen into my brain? Nothing of value in there. They want to buy it? Sure, $100 trillion billion and they can have the lot. Sheesh. Don’t overload your diet with conspiracy foods. No one ever has and no one ever will have a direct line into the human subconscious. Especially not people who’s minds extend only so far as material gain. LOL what would they even possibly know about it. End of.

            1. 5.1.1.2.1.1

              I find your comments sometimes insightful but this one is at best naive.

              Have a read of jaques ellus on propaganda and the formation of mans attitudes

  6. 6

    If it was suspended it’ll just make WD more determined to get info out there. When you’re in a pit with a bear you don’t poke it with a stick.

    1. 6.1

      I’m surprised it took this long… and given this was my expectation I expect the freedom fighter will be ten moves ahead of the Natz and their fumbling minions. 😆

    3. 7.3

      Certain people think @WhaleDumpNZ is a fake because of difference in writing styles & language. Time will tell.

      In the meantime, there are also @WhaleDump_ and @RennieRawShark, either of whom could be the new account for leaks to come from.

      Welcome to Twitter Whack-A-Mole

      2. 7.3.2

        Oh dear…there is a real game of bluff and doublebluff going on here – there is also a Whaledump2 account, which says the others are false. This one supplied a download, which I risked downloading – the scan didn’t come up with any problems, yet this doesn’t mean much, really does it?. It is one email between Matt Wilson and Carrick Graham, yet there is no way of knowing whether it is Whaledump who is sharing them.

    1. 8.1

      I was on #Whaledump checking for info and someone had posted a link to the Mark Hotchin wikisend page. The post disappeared within a minute.

    1. 9.1

      Yes that would be it. They are all singing from the same sheet.
      WOTD: Criminal

      Remember this :
      “SEVEN West Media CEO Tim Worner has slammed an Australian Federal Police raid on the company’s offices as “overkill”, saying he was disturbed the police were seeking access to news and corporate records.
      There were “heated scenes” at Channel Seven’s Sydney headquarters today as its offices were raided by the AFP.
      It is understood federal police were looking for evidence of the lucrative media deal the Corby family reportedly signed on behalf of Schapelle for her first post-prison interview .

      Whats the bet , the NZ Police are lining up TV3 and his newsroom. The Odious Orca has been making threats about those who use stolen material

        1. 9.1.1.1

          Andrea Vance tweeted 10 minutes ago:

          “Police have confirmed they were not involved in the shutting down of @whaledump account”

  10. 10

    A couple of commenters on Graeme Edgeler’s Twitter account say that they are overseas (one in Australia) and can still get into WD’s account. Not sure how that works ….

    The last tweet I saw from WD was “Pop, Pop, pop” at about 9am NZ time.

    1. 10.1

      I hate to shoot any hopes down, but I’m not in NZ (a lot further than Australia) and it’s definitely not accessible from here.

      Hopefully the hacker will find another avenue to get their information out. Given the resourcefulness they have shown so far, that doesn’t seem unlikely.

    2. 11.2

      That would be any of the staff int he Prime Minister’s Office, but definitely not the actual prime Minister himself, he is busy being a “CEO” elsewhere, according to Wayne Mapp

  12. 12

    This has to be CIA involvement all over this.

    Who else has the ability?

    Miscarriage of justice?

    Obstruction of Justice anyone?

    1. 12.1

      seriously?

      Some oik would have complained to twitter about breach of privacy or bullying or somesuch. So Twitter pulled it, as the easiest way out consistent with corporatep olicy.

      1. 14.1.1

        These people who want to keep New Zealanders misinformed are not the ones who should be in power, or have access to power.

  15. 15

    I suggest taking a look at @WhaleDumpNZ

    …ah I didn’t see Riffer’s comment (@ 7), sorry.
    Will leave this comment here anyway.

      1. 15.3.1

        I read that tweet as a coded message. Definitely good to be skeptical, yet let’s wait and see. I suspect it is the same source.

      2. 15.3.2

        according to this article it was slater that complained to to twitter ?

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10459239/Whaledump-Twitter-account-shut

        ” Slater, who runs the right-wing Whale Oil blog which has been at the centre of allegations on Hager’s book, had complained to the police about the theft of his emails.

        He also confirmed this morning he had complained to the micro-blogging site because of “breach of copyright and breach of privacy … both against Twitter’s rules”.

  17. 17

    I LOVE the internet .. we can be our own personal Woodward and Bernstein.

    This is a battleground for our democracy and will prove the strength of it … thx BL. Didn’t take but a moment !

    1. 21.1

      Yes that was the fantastic film poster site. It has been gone for over a week now and the creator said he’d been worn down by the nasty rightwing threats he was receiving.

      1. 21.1.1

        Maybe we can ask TS to set up a special comedy page for the duration so he and others could post there and disallow comments to stop the RWNJs.

    3. 21.3

      Oh no, that’s not good.

      This isn’t going to have a happy ending for John Key.

      He is doing for whaledump/rawshark and Dirty Politics what the French spies did for the nuclear-free issue when they blew up Rainbow Warrior. The country turned as one.

      However sleepy the country may be, this kind of bullying could be a wake up call …. wasn’t it 75% who were against the new GCSB legislation ? Living in hope this morning …

  23. 23

    Well it is easier to follow every variety of twitter Whaledump names than it is to remove them. All we have to do is wait which one will follow up with real dumps.
    It might back fire for them as they have to keep asking Twitter to remove accounts.
    😆

      1. 23.1.1

        I suspect they all are and Rawshark has just given us all a lesson on caution.

        😯

        Just my opinion – obviously could be wrong.

  24. 24

    Election Satire ‏@2014satire 2 hrs
    #dirtypolitics BREAKING Whaledump suspended as “illegal and offensive”. PM Ede SIS JC & Slater twitter feeds also cancelled. More soon…

  26. 26

    “Government has declared war on internet blog sites”
    “Public online voice has been silenced to protect the Government.”

    1. 29.1

      Notice that Jordan Williams was using his “Jordan.Williams@franksogilvie.co.nz account when dealing with Slater. Per Whaledump. Not as a private individual.

      2. 29.1.2

        I did notice that, yes.

        And considering Williams was intending to forward it on to Stephen Franks, that implies that Franks was in some way involved in organising the use of Slater’s “services”. As we know, that often amounts to character assassination. That’s his business.

        The emails read as though Franks had asked Williams to follow up on the cost of using Slater to put messages out there.

        I wonder if the Law Commission would be interested in that…

    2. 30.2

      Yeshe

      That article contains stuff referred to, and quoted, in the book.
      Those who havent read it can start to understand why key et al, including dunne, dont want average kiwis to read it.

      By laying his complaint slater is all but confirming the ones referred to so far are real.

      1. 30.2.1

        Thx Tracey … some of it seemed new to me — but maybe I was speed reading thru the book … hurrying to the shower trying to get the slime off.

        Yes, I deeply appreciate Slater is confirming them as real by default.

        At this rate, Collins will not be able to be employed by a Chinese bank or company .. her loss of face with be complete before this is over. Even bars must be seen as a possibility at this rate.

        1. 30.2.1.1

          I was wondering if her job prospects in a bank had improved 😉

          The book should have been called “So Filthy even a shower want clean it off Politics

      1. 30.4.1

        not a prob 🙂 no vonfusion whatsoever !

        Ah, the wonders of Kindle .. just searched my copy of DP and there is no name check for David Bain, so it is new material. And how damning of Collins — the same day she received a letter she released it to Slater ?

        We owe such gratitude to Nicky Hager and Rawshark — this woman was seriously in line of succession for Nats to become Prime Minister. OMG.

        1. 30.4.1.1

          She thinks she still is. She will spin the shit out of her clearance around sfo and apply it to all allegations.

          IF the “prime minister” includeds the prime ministers office, does the prime ministers office include the prime minister?

          If yes it folows that the justice ministers office releasing privileged documents to slater is the same as the justice minister doing it

  31. 31

    Anyone reading the Jordan Williams chat log might want to search for the word “Dunne” for an interesting version of events.

  33. 33

    ‘

    Beware the Whaledump imposters seeking to insert fake DOX into the conversation. At a guess, I would say it looks like John Key and mates are planning a counter-attack involving various sockpuppets flooding the place with a mix of actual and manufactured tidbits in an effort to create doubt about the veracity of the real ones. Even the good guys could get roped in. David Tong (Twitter handle davidxvx), for example, is putting about an image which suggests a leak from Crown Law. Not that I would put it past Crown Law to leak, only I would have expected such a detail to have been noted in Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics. Still, if anyone can confirm that this is genuine, I would be very pleased. Note also that the names WhaleDump3 and Whale_Dump have already been taken. Be careful what you pass around out there, folks. This game is gonna get even dirtier as it plays out.

        1. 33.1.1.1

          but wouldn’t it be better to dump fake dirt on the “left” – since the left are just like the right… apparently – instead of misinformation about the right? Just makes the right look even dirtier than normal. Strategy: fail.

          1. 33.1.1.1.1

            ‘

            Its too late. I reckon, inserting false DOX into the narrative which paint the Left in a bleak light at this stage would undermine the the Right’s “play the victim” plus “vast left-wing conspiracy” angle. Also, if there was hard evidence of the Left playing dirty politics surely it would have come out by now. So far all we’ve seen is Cameron Slater and John Key make bully-boy threats about it.

          3. 33.1.1.1.3

            I can understand the idea. Flood twitter with fake accounts making ridiculous claims that can be proven false. Then Key can say oh look at all this rubbish “the left” is doing. I’ve seen fake tr0ll websites before, some quite disturbing.

            But as a deliberate strategy here it seems slightly risky. I mean this is now a serious image problem for the Nats. And you’re going to flood twitter with rumours about yourself?

  34. 34

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10459239/Whaledump-makes-return-to-Twitter

    Slater confirms he complained to Twitter (when you finally confront a bully they always run crying to teacher).

    Final word:
    A spokesman for the Key said they had no knowledge of the suspension prior to the account being shut down.

    “We did not lay a complaint and it’s not a matter for us.”

    Of course not – Slater did it – it’s your modis operandi, there’s a whole book about how he’s your attack dog.

  35. 35

    So, it’s been confirmed it was goat-shooter himself who had a big cry baby episode and rang Twitter to get that mean and nasty person who wants to tell the truth about him banned.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10459239/Whaledump-makes-return-to-Twitter

    One of goat-shooter’s favourite non-expletive words when describing his enemies is hypocrisy, closely followed by sanctimonous, but hypocrisy is the word that best describes his cry baby strop at people making legitimate complaints to companies who advertise on his racist, hate speech site, all the while he himself was being paid undeclared thousands to attack companies by their business rivals or their ideological rivals.

    Edit: Snap, Tigger, sorry.

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