Suddenly, one individual captured the attention of the entire world and stirred up quite a storm. While the United States considered him a villain, he became known to many as a hero. The country known as the global superpower, the United States, grew most concerned about this man. But who is he? What is his identity? Let’s learn about Julian Assange, the founder and editor of the popular WikiLeaks website, and a strong believer in freedom of information:

Name: Julian Paul Assange

Date of Birth: July 3, 1971.

Place of Birth: Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

Nationality: Australian.

Profession: Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WikiLeaks.

Education:

He primarily studied mathematics and physics, while also becoming highly skilled in computer programming. His main interest was in hacking. At the age of 13, he received his first computer as a gift from his mother. Soon after, he began hacking. He became quite an adept hacker and, in 2006, gained recognition as one of the best hackers.

Julian Assange always thought in his own unique way and acted accordingly. He believed in freedom of information and was fearless. He wasn’t intimidated even by the United States, a country respected by all. He guided WikiLeaks towards open freedom.

WikiLeaks

With the purpose of disclosing hidden information to the public, Julian Assange founded WikiLeaks in 2006. It is a non-profit organization with a nine-member advisory board and a media spokesperson. Assange describes himself as the chief editor. He says, “I don’t see myself as a founder.” He worked at WikiLeaks as a volunteer and presented himself as a journalist. Assange believes transparency in information reduces corruption. According to WikiLeaks’s policy, the organization does not cite any sources when releasing confidential information.

Due to US pressure, domain name provider EveryDNS.net shut down the WikiLeaks website on December 3. Notably, WikiLeaks gained widespread attention for its successive leaks of US confidential information. At the same time, Interpol, the international police organization, issued a red alert for the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. However, WikiLeaks later resumed operations under a new Switzerland-based domain, wikileaks.ch. On December 7, under intense pressure and for leaking US information, Julian Assange, the founder and editor of WikiLeaks, was arrested by the London Metropolitan Police.

Awards Received:
1. In 2008, Julian Assange won The Economist Index on Censorship Award.

2. In 2009, he received the Amnesty International Media Award.

3. Assange received the Sam Adams Award in 2010.

First Published: Technology Today