Trial begins for alleged Stratfor leaker Jeremy Hammond as US government announces further crackdown on hacktivists

Citing an increased hacking threat from groups like Anonymous, Lulzsec and Wikileaks, the Obama Administration unveiled a plan this week to protect what they call the “trade secrets” of US corporations. The document calls for companies to implement voluntary cybersecurity protections, and promises more investigations and prosecutions of activists who, quote, “use the tools of economic espionage.” The announcement comes as one prominent “hacktivist” begins a trial in New York City that could result in life in prison. Lawyers for alleged e-mail leaker Jeremy Hammond say the federal Judge weighing his case has a serious conflict of interest. FSRN’s Alice Ollstein has more.