Anonymous hacks Samajwadi Party's website to protest its demand to shut down social networking sites

Hackers group Anonymous are at it again. And their latest victim is Samajwadi Party, which rules Uttar Pradesh. Late last week, the group took down the party's official website and then tweeted about the same (see pic below). The site is up and running as of now.

The group has also cited the reason behind their actions. Apparently, in the wake of a mass exodus of people from North-Eastern states from various Indian cities, SP leader Ramgopal Yadav had demanded (in the Rajya Sabha) a ban on social networking sites, claiming that the sites were being used as a medium for spreading rumours. The demand did not go down well with the group and hence they hacked the party's site.

'Dear customer! You have sent 5 SMS today. As per instructions from the Government Regulatory, only 5 SMS can be sent per day.'

Although users can still use alternate methods of communication like instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Nimbuzz, etc. to keep in touch with one another.

Earlier (in June this year), in retaliation to a John Doe order taken by Copyright Labs, Chennai, from the Madras High Court, for preventing the piracy of a couple of Tamil films, the group had started its 'operation India'. As part of the operation, the group hacked/defaced official websites of the Supreme Court, the ruling Congress Party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Department of Telecommunications and Reliance Big Entertainment, All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC) and the Mizoram Government, among others. The group later carried out a peaceful protest in a number of cities in the country.

Keep track of this space for more updates on the group's activities.

(Edited by Prem Udayabhanu)