Dead Man’s Switch: Assange Arrest Triggers Speculation of WikiLeaks Data Dumps
'Insurance' release containing large encrypted files could soon drop
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Following the arrest of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, which has since caused a worldwide media frenzy, there is significant speculation surrounding the so-called "insurance" release, containing large encrypted files uploaded to the website.
During a dramitc arrest, UK Metropolitan Police pulled Assange from the Ecuadorian Embassy on Thursday following his seven-year exile.
But the Wikileaks founder's fate is still unclear.
What makes things even more uncertain is whether the "insurance" files, which some believe is Assange's "dead man's switch," will be made public.
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The "insurance" is believed a massive encrypted data dump, whose decryption keys will be released if the event that Assange is assassinated or arrested.
Assange must regularly reset the "dead man's switch" for the files to prevent them being released, meaning if he's arrested or killed, the "insurance" files will automatically be dumped.
Many believe the content could be his get out of jail free card.
But now Assange is in custody; there is growing speculation that the keys are about to be disclosed.
Back in July 2010, files of this type appeared on the Afghan War Diary page.
But this new encrypted file is much larger than the previous ones.
"If anything happens to Assange or the website, a key will go out to unlock the files. There would then be no way to stop the information from spreading like wildfire because so many people already have copies," CBS correspondent Declan McCullagh said back then.
But Wikileaks has dropped similar "insurance" files since 2010, but none have them have been cracked open.
Last week, Wikileaks said that Ecuador would be violating its constitution if its founder Julian Assange is expelled from its London embassy while being fully aware he is at risk of "assassination."
Me over here waiting for Assange’s Kill Switch pic.twitter.com/fhp6hN1A1u
— Kelly (@kelly4freedom) April 11, 2019
I don't know... But I do know Assange said in both interviews with Hannity. That if he was arrested people would immediately release certain emails and documents that he had a "kill switch" for. So far nothing.
— MarkSox1313 (@sox1313) April 11, 2019
#FreeJulian #FreeASSANGE #DeadMansSwitch
— 🇺🇸*SkyQueen*🇺🇸 ✈️👑⭐️ (@Triquetra331) April 11, 2019
Hey Deep State, y’all scared? pic.twitter.com/3ENW1gpnMY
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According to article 79 of the Ecuadorean constitution, it guarantees that "in no case shall the extradition of an Ecuadorean be granted,” Assange told the Ecuadorean court back on October 29.
British MPs are demanding the UK Government extradite Assange to Sweden, should Swedish authorities make the extradition request.
70 MPs have so far signed a letter putting pressure on the government to ensure Assange is extradited.
The letter, which has been sent to Home Secretary Sajid Javid, was posted on Twitter by Labour MP Stella Creasy.
It reads:
"We are writing to request that you do everything you can to champion action that will ensure Julian Assange can be extradited to Sweden in the event Sweden make an extradition request."
Reactions to Julian Assange's arrest revealed the vast divide between pro-WikiLeaks/Trump advocates and NeverTrumpers and Hillary Clinton supporters.
Many advocates of the Wikileaks founder expressed dismay of his arrest, while Hillary supporters celebrated.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who failed the will of the British People following the recent Brexit delay, praised Assange's arrest in Parliament.
“In the United Kingdom, nobody is above the law,” said May.
