WikiLeaks

This entry addresses the emergence as well as the demise of WikiLeaks as an innovative platform for whistleblowers to leak documents and evidence of wrongdoing. The entry starts by defining the practice of whistleblowing and addressing the digital affordances which led to the emergence and initial success of WikiLeaks. It also deals with the problems raised by releasing an abundance of information. This led WikiLeaks to turn to media partners to increase the impact of the leaked information they received. The leaking of US classified information was not without consequences and led to a counterattack by the US government and by US‐based companies on which WikiLeaks relied for funding and hosting of its content. State and corporate repression in combination with the increasing personality cult surrounding Julian Assange, and the allegations of sexual misconduct against him, have led to the gradual demise of WikiLeaks. Its last high‐profile leak was the e‐mails from the Clinton campaign and the Democratic party during the 2016 US elections.