Anonymous elders reclaim control of group and denounce OpFacebook

Hacktivist group Anonymous has renounced the OpFacebook campaign revealed yesterday, which was aimed at "destroying" the social network because of its alleged collusion with oppressive governments and erosion of user privacy.

A YouTube video posted to the site on 16 July seems to be the main source of the rumours of a planned Anonymous attack on Facebook on 5 November.

The video features an Anonymous logo, and encourages any would-be hacktivists to "join the cause and kill Facebook for the sake of your own privacy".

At the time, Anonymous did not seem to be able to decide whether the video was a hoax or not.

The Anonyops Twitter account first posted a message saying it was indeed a fake. "We don't 'kill' the messenger, that's not our style," it said.

However, the account then modified its statement a few hours later, saying that Operation Facebook is indeed being organised by some members of the group.

"This does not necessarily mean that all of #Anonymous agrees with it," it added.

The latest Twitter activity, however, seems to indicate that senior members of the group have decided to denounce the OpFacebook campaign completely, instead urging supporters who dislike Facebook to delete account data.

"An Anonymous board meeting was held. We have decided to renounce #OpFacebook. That is all," noted one statement.

Anonyops then revealed that "the old hats of Anonymous" had decided to take a firmer role in the direction of the group.

"We're taking Anon back. Time for sensible, focused discussion," it said.