It looks like hackers are taking shot at Burmese military junta websites. An interesting story, I think, of how pro-democracy forces can protest without being there.

Aug 19, 2005 (DVB) – Burmese computer experts and hackers are increasingly targeting their attacks on websites owned by and related to Burma??????s military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), according to sources close to Burmese hackers.

A Burmese computer student told DVB that recent breakdowns of the New Light of Myanmar and Myanmar Times websites could be the handiworks of either independent hackers or computer experts of ousted military intelligence service (MIS).

A Burmese hacker who calls himself Mr. H. said hackers live within and without Burma and most of them are young Burmese people in exile who have no love for the oppressive junta. He also went on to explain how one could destroy a Burmese junta website by various means.

These hackers regard themselves as political activists and term their hacking activities as cyber civil disobedience.

It brings up certain ethical questions, though, about when and how computer hacking against a government is warranted and acceptable. Certainly, using it in a democratic country that respects such principles would be acting against the people themselves. However, using it against the military junta in Burma seems correct to me, as a means by which to achieve democracy through government instability. But, then, should it be supported by democratic governments against the undemocratic ones? And what happens if, one day, all of the latter are deposed and this legion of hackers has nowhere to aim itself?

I’m going to have to think about this one for awhile. What do you all think?