Computer hackers in support of the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks are vowing to continue their "data war" to protect Internet freedom.
The group called "Anonymous" has launched cyberattacks against companies that have refused to do business with WikiLeaks.
Targets have so far included Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal, and members of the group say Amazon is a likely next target.
Reports say the tool through which the attacks are being conducted has now been downloaded more than 31,000 times.
In an online letter the group said its goal "is simple: Win the right to keep the Internet free of any control from any entity, corporation, or government."
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is in jail in London awaiting an extradition hearing to Sweden, where he is wanted on sex-crime charges.
His supporters say the charges are politically motivated.
WikiLeaks has angered U.S. authorities by publishing thousands of diplomatic cables and secret documents about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
'Violating WikiLeaks Rights'
Meanwhile, the UN's human rights chief has expressed concern about pressure on private companies to stop providing financial or Internet services for WikiLeaks.
Navi Pillay said such moves could be "interpreted as an attempt to censor the publication of information, thus potentially violating WikiLeaks' right to freedom of expression."
Credit-card giants MasterCard and Visa suspended payments to the site and the Swiss Post Office banking service closed an account set up by Julian Assange.
The WikiLeaks website was also forced to seek new hosts after being blocked.
compiled from agency reports
The group called "Anonymous" has launched cyberattacks against companies that have refused to do business with WikiLeaks.
Targets have so far included Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal, and members of the group say Amazon is a likely next target.
Reports say the tool through which the attacks are being conducted has now been downloaded more than 31,000 times.
In an online letter the group said its goal "is simple: Win the right to keep the Internet free of any control from any entity, corporation, or government."
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is in jail in London awaiting an extradition hearing to Sweden, where he is wanted on sex-crime charges.
His supporters say the charges are politically motivated.
WikiLeaks has angered U.S. authorities by publishing thousands of diplomatic cables and secret documents about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
'Violating WikiLeaks Rights'
Meanwhile, the UN's human rights chief has expressed concern about pressure on private companies to stop providing financial or Internet services for WikiLeaks.
Navi Pillay said such moves could be "interpreted as an attempt to censor the publication of information, thus potentially violating WikiLeaks' right to freedom of expression."
Credit-card giants MasterCard and Visa suspended payments to the site and the Swiss Post Office banking service closed an account set up by Julian Assange.
The WikiLeaks website was also forced to seek new hosts after being blocked.
compiled from agency reports