WikiLeaks publishes the first of hundreds of thousands of classified documents disclosed by the soldier now known as Chelsea Manning.

Understanding WikiLeaks: A Digital Whistleblower's Journey

WikiLeaks emerged onto the global stage as an international non-profit organization dedicated to publishing news leaks and classified media, all sourced anonymously. Initiated in 2006 in Iceland by the Sunshine Press organization, this digital conduit for sensitive information declared by 2015 that it had astonishingly released ten million documents online within its first decade alone. While Australian internet activist Julian Assange is widely recognized as its founder and director, the editorial helm has been managed by Kristinn Hrafnsson since September 2018.

Landmark Disclosures and Global Impact

Early Revelations and Growing Prominence

The organization quickly made its mark with a series of prominent document caches that shed light on various global affairs. Among its initial releases were detailed records of equipment expenditures and holdings related to the Afghanistan war, a revealing report on a corruption investigation in Kenya, and even an operating procedures manual for the notorious U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. These early disclosures set a precedent for WikiLeaks' commitment to transparency, often in the face of governmental secrecy.

The Watershed Year: 2010 and Beyond

Perhaps the most significant turning point came in April 2010 with the release of the "Collateral Murder" footage. This chilling video captured a 12 July 2007 Baghdad airstrike where Iraqi Reuters journalists were tragically among several civilians killed, sparking international outrage and debate over military conduct. Later that year, WikiLeaks continued its impactful run with the release of the "Afghan War Diary" and the monumental "Iraq War Logs." The latter was particularly revelatory, allowing for the mapping of an astounding 109,032 deaths in "significant" insurgent attacks in Iraq reported to the Multi-National Force – Iraq, including approximately 15,000 previously undisclosed fatalities. This period cemented WikiLeaks' reputation as a powerful, albeit controversial, force in journalism and international relations. Concurrently, in 2010, the platform also released a vast collection of classified diplomatic cables that had been dispatched to the U.S. State Department, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the inner workings of global diplomacy.

Continuing the Flow of Information: 2011-2015

The stream of disclosures didn't stop. In April 2011, WikiLeaks began systematically publishing 779 secret files pertaining to prisoners detained at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, further fueling debates about human rights and legal processes. The year 2012 saw the emergence of the "Syria Files," an enormous collection of over two million emails originating from Syrian politicians, corporations, and government ministries, offering a rare window into the country's political landscape amidst a brewing conflict. Later, in 2015, WikiLeaks unveiled Saudi Arabian diplomatic cables, documents detailing the U.S. National Security Agency's extensive spying on successive French presidents, and critically, the intellectual property chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a highly contentious international trade agreement that had been negotiated entirely in secret, exposing its details to public scrutiny.

The 2016 U.S. Election, Subsequent Leaks, and Lingering Questions

Political Storms and Allegations

The 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign became a focal point for WikiLeaks, which released a trove of emails and other documents from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and from Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, John Podesta. These documents notably revealed that the DNC had favored Clinton over her primary rival, Bernie Sanders, leading to the resignation of DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and a formal apology to Sanders. These releases caused significant harm to the Clinton campaign and are often cited as a potential contributing factor to her eventual loss against Donald Trump. The U.S. intelligence community expressed "high confidence" that Russia had hacked these emails and subsequently supplied them to WikiLeaks. However, WikiLeaks consistently denied that Russia or any other state was the source of the documents, maintaining its commitment to protecting anonymous whistleblowers. During this turbulent period, WikiLeaks also faced criticism for promoting conspiracy theories about Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party.

Later Disclosures and Operational Challenges

Beyond the U.S. election, 2016 also saw WikiLeaks release nearly 300,000 emails, described as originating from Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, though these were later found to be largely taken from public mailing archives. Subsequently, over 50,000 emails from the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources were also re-released. In 2017, the organization published internal CIA documents detailing tools used by the agency to hack various devices, including mobile phones and routers, once again highlighting vulnerabilities in digital security. More recently, in 2019, WikiLeaks disclosed over 30,000 files as part of the "Fishrot Files," exposing significant corruption at SAMHERJI, a multinational fishing company based in Iceland. However, the organization itself has faced technical difficulties, with its secure chat stopping functionality in October 2021, and both its submission system and email server going offline by February 2022, raising questions about its continued operational capacity.

Criticism and Controversies Surrounding WikiLeaks

Despite its stated mission of transparency, WikiLeaks has attracted substantial criticism over the years. A notable point of contention has been its perceived absence of whistleblowing on or criticism of Russia, which some critics interpret as a sign of bias. The organization also drew flak for its critique of the "Panama Papers," a massive exposé detailing businesses and individuals with offshore bank accounts. Furthermore, WikiLeaks has been widely criticized for inadequately curating its content, leading to the inadvertent or intentional violation of individuals' personal privacy. Examples of these privacy breaches include the revelation of Social Security numbers, sensitive medical information, credit card details, and even highly personal accounts of suicide attempts, raising serious ethical questions about its methods and responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About WikiLeaks

What is WikiLeaks?
WikiLeaks is an international non-profit organization that publishes news leaks and classified media provided by anonymous sources, aiming for greater governmental and corporate transparency.
When was WikiLeaks founded and where?
WikiLeaks was initiated in 2006 in Iceland by the organization Sunshine Press.
Who is the founder of WikiLeaks?
Julian Assange, an Australian Internet activist, is generally described as its founder and director. Kristinn Hrafnsson has served as its editor-in-chief since September 2018.
What are some of WikiLeaks' most famous releases?
Key releases include the "Collateral Murder" footage (2007 Baghdad airstrike), the "Afghan War Diary," the "Iraq War Logs," classified U.S. diplomatic cables, the "Syria Files," and documents related to the 2016 DNC and John Podesta email leaks.
Has WikiLeaks faced criticism?
Yes, WikiLeaks has been criticized for its perceived lack of disclosures regarding Russia, its stance on the "Panama Papers," inadequate content curation, and for violating personal privacy by releasing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, medical data, and credit card details.
What impact did WikiLeaks have on the 2016 U.S. election?
The release of DNC and John Podesta emails by WikiLeaks exposed internal party biases against Bernie Sanders, led to resignations, and significantly harmed Hillary Clinton's campaign, with some attributing it as a contributing factor to her loss. The U.S. intelligence community attributed these leaks to Russian hacking, a claim WikiLeaks denies.
Are WikiLeaks' services still operational?
As of late 2021 and early 2022, WikiLeaks' secure chat, submission system, and email server experienced outages, raising questions about its current operational status.