Twitter account launches WikiLeaks parody

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Twitter is known for its parody accounts. Some of them are so popular that their targets sometimes ask that the operator of the fake account make it clear it is a joke. Think @BPGlobalPR.

Twitter does police this: The rule is that parody accounts should not deceive or confuse users.

There probably will be no such request in this case: With the corporate websites of Visa and MasterCard under apparent cyber attack Wednesday from alleged WikiLeaks supporters, someone started @wikileakcables.

‘Way to go hacktivists! You’re keeping it classy with operation #payitforward. Niceness is contagious! #wikileaks,’ was the first update in the account. Reads another update: ‘Once we take down all the credit card companies, it will be back to the barter system! What’s a rabbit pelt worth these days?’ And another: ‘Diner’s Club, you’re next!!!’

In the meantime, Twitter apparently didn’t think one account was too humorous: It has suspended @Anon_Operation, the account purportedly being used by the hackers to organize attacks. It soon returned as @Anon_Operationn, presenting Twitter with a classic whack-a-mole dilemma.

Twitter declined to comment on why it suspended the account. A person familiar with the situation said the final tweet from @Anon_Operation included a link to a file containing consumer credit card information.

Related:

Operation Bank-Troll: Rumored leak of MasterCard numbers is Web attack in the name of WikiLeaks

‘Operation: Payback claims to have shut down Visa website in defense of WikiLeaks

‘Operation: Payback’ announces on Twitter planned Web attack on Visa

-- Jessica Guynn