Some members of WikiLeaks have started their own rival site, Openleaks, reportedly expected to launch Monday, according to the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter. Openleaks’ owners say the new site will allow whistleblowers to leak information to the public anonymously. However, the new site will differ in that it won’t be responsible for hosting the information itself directly for the public eye, but will instead act as an intermediary between whistleblowers and media organizations.
“Our long term goal is to build a strong, transparent platform to support whistleblowers–both in terms of technology and politics–while at the same time encouraging others to start similar projects,” a colleague wishing to remain anonymous is quoted by Dagens Nyheter as saying.
WikiLeaks members involved in Openleaks are allegedly incensed by what they describe as Julian Assange’s “autocratic” behavior, and believe the rival site will be more “democratically governed.” In addition, many believe Assange’s ongoing rape controversy is damaging WikiLeaks’ reputation worldwide, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Critics have already expressed skepticism with Openleak’s move, questioning whether the new site isn’t operated by the CIA.