MasterCard Pulls Plug on WikiLeaks Payments

MasterCard is pulling the plug on payments to WikiLeaks, a move that will dry up another source of funds for the embattled document-sharing Web site, CNET has learned.

There are some things you can't buy with MasterCard.

"MasterCard is taking action to ensure that WikiLeaks can no longer accept MasterCard-branded products," a spokesman for MasterCard Worldwide said today.

That further limits the revenue sources for WikiLeaks, which has seen its finances systematically attacked in the last few days, as the Swiss authorities shut down a bank account used by editor Julian Assange, and PayPal permanently restricted the account used by the group. WikiLeaks has responded with an increasing number of fund-raising requests that urge supporters to "KEEP US STRONG."

Assuming that MasterCard blocks payments, the only easy way to donate electronically would be with a Visa credit card through a Web page hosted by Iceland-based DataCell.com. Representatives of Visa did not respond to requests for comment from CNET today. (WikiLeaks also solicits payments sent through the U.S. mail.)

MasterCard said it was cutting off payments because WikiLeaks is engaging in illegal activity. "MasterCard rules prohibit customers from directly or indirectly engaging in or facilitating any action that is illegal," spokesman Chris Monteiro said.

The move to cordon off WikiLeaks comes as a noose appears to be tightening around the neck of editor Julian Assange, who is the target of an arrest warrant issued today in the United Kingdom, according to a BBC report. He is expected to appear in a U.K. court tomorrow.

WikiLeaks previously was given the boot from its United States-based hosting services and domain name services. Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut said last Wednesday: "I call on any other company or organization that is hosting WikiLeaks to immediately terminate its relationship with them."

CBSNews.com Special Report: WikiLeaks

Since then, U.S. politicians have stepped up their criticism of the document-sharing site, which has posted only about 1,000 of 251,000 State Department dispatches it says it possesses and has shifted to the WikiLeaks.ch domain. "I think the man is a high-tech terrorist," Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said yesterday, referring to Assange. "He has done enormous damage to our country."

In addition, the incoming chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee wants WikiLeaks listed as a "terrorist" organization, which would prohibit U.S. banks from processing payments and make it a felony for anyone else to provide "material support or resources" to the group. CNET reported earlier today that some U.S. government employees are being blocked from visiting WikiLeaks' Web site and the myriad mirror sites that have sprouted in the last few days.

This article originally appeared on CNET

[Jake_Sulli]

Resume: american's democracy is a lie, the capital is the real president of the USA.

[Jake_Sulli]

Se supone que USA es el pa?s de la libertad, pero visto lo visto todo es una fachada y est? dominado por poderes ajenos al pueblo americano. Todo es una farsa y la democracia es una mentira.

[mikenondoom]

Will MasterCard also prohibit payments to the high profile news organizations who have helped to redact and distribute the cables?
No, of course not, that would be crazy!

[rationall7]

In addition, the incoming chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee wants WikiLeaks listed as a "terrorist" organization.
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In my State any group that took out a permit to protest including protestors against high taxes is on the governor's list of possible "terrorist" organizations, what a big freaking joke that list is and the selection process, if any at all.

[rationall7]

It's a different world behind the curtians where the wizards push the buttons & joysticks in the land of OZ it's it Toto.

[amadeo123]

I guess michael moore was righ all along. The filthy rich do whatever they want, the laws do not apply to them.

[AnnieDanny]

Freedom of speech is one thing... dumping stolen documents on the internet for the purpose of embarassing government leaders and politicians anywhere... that's another thing. I don't see this creep as being any kind of hero or Robin Hood, or spokesman of the people. What good has it accomplished so far? I can't see any.

I wonder how much Assange is willing to pay for the defense of the PFC who GAVE him all the government documents. That would be interesting to know.

[Rodeo_Joe]

"MasterCard said it was cutting off payments because WikiLeaks is engaging in illegal activity".

I must have missed the TRIAL. Or is this just hearsay?

[amadeo123]

that's freedom of expression brought to you by mastercard.......

[differnet]

How about a little lesson in "Freedom of the Press." US law recongizes that sometimes the overwhelming right of the citizens to know something trumps national security. However, with freedom comes responsibility. A good example of this was the NYTimes treatment of the Pentagon Papers that were leaked to it back in the 1970s. They did not print everything. They restricted themselves to items that were important for the citizens to know AND would not result in a risk of peril to human lives. That is responsible freedom. What Assange is doing is neither freedom nor is it press. It is highly irresponsible.

Assange should be charged with espionage. He would get his day in court and be allowed to defend his point of view and let a jury decide if he has any protection under the Constitution. But then, he can't even bring himself to answer rape charges in Sweden.

[Rodeo_Joe]

The CIA should also be charged with espionage. They spy, or try to.

[rightbehind]

I'm about done with my credit cards. Our founding fathers were fond of the Freedom of the Press. We should be concerned about what our leaders are up to. We've got enough wrap themselves in a flag bury their heads in the sand patriots.