Anonymous “Fake Fighters” Target Wikipedia Authors with Reports

Anonymous Telegram channels have begun publishing the personal information of Wikipedia editors, according to the channel “Wikipedia. Unofficial.” But the exposure of personal data did not stop there. In Belarus, the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GUBOP) detained blogger Mark Bernstein, who is among the top 50 Wikipedia contributors. A video posted on a law enforcement Telegram channel shows force being used against him. The same channel claims that the Wikipedian allegedly “spreads fake anti-Russian materials.”

In response, the “Wikipedia. Unofficial” channel advised: “We recommend that all Wikipedia participants in Russia and Belarus hide their personal information and edit articles about military actions and other topics that may fall under new ‘fake news’ laws only from additional accounts.”

The organization “Roskomsvoboda” considers the persecution of authors of the world’s most popular online encyclopedia unacceptable. These authors carefully compile articles about the past and present, sharing invaluable knowledge with internet users in an accessible form. We call for an end to the pressure on the Wikipedia community and the release of those detained. The actions of Belarusian law enforcement, as well as those of anonymous “exposers,” are nothing more than intimidation and censorship, which have nothing to do with legality.