A second member of a three-man team who created a secure system for whistleblowers to submit information to news outlets has committed suicide at the age of 36, reports the Freedom of the Press Foundation. Software engineer James Dolan took his own life nearly five years to the day after the death of "SecureDrop" co-creator and Reddit co-founder Aaron Swartz.
Dolan, a former Marine, helped create the system in 2012 along with Swartz and Wired editor Kevin Poulsen - who spearheaded the project first known as "StrongBox" and later "DeadDrop." The trio's secure submission system has been used by The New Yorker, the Washington Post, The New York Times, the Associated Press and Gizmodo - allowing "highly secure communication between journalists and sources in possession of sensitive information or documents," per Gizmodo.
Co-creator Kevin Poulsen described Dolan's role in the project’s creation in the New Yorker in 2013:
In New York, a computer-security expert named James Dolan persuaded a trio of his industry colleagues to meet with Aaron to review the architecture and, later, the code. We wanted to be reasonably confident that the system wouldn’t be compromised, and that sources would be able to submit documents anonymously—so that even the media outlets receiving the materials wouldn’t be able to tell the government where they came from. James wrote an obsessively detailed step-by-step security guide for organizations implementing the code. “He goes a little overboard,” Aaron said in an e-mail, “but maybe that’s not a bad thing.”
Co-creator Aaron Swartz committed suicide on January 11, 2013 at the age of 26. Swartz left no suicide note in his New York apartment, however some have noted that he was depressed and was facing jail time under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act for hacking into MIT's computer network and stealing copies of 4.8 million academic papers.
Second developer of WikiLeaks inspired submission system "SecureDrop", security expert James Dolan, aged 36, has tragically died. He is said to have committed suicide. The first, Aaron Swartz, is said to have taken his own life at age 26, after being persecuted by US prosecutors.
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 9, 2018
Swartz's father believes the government "indirectly killed" Swartz, while his girlfriend at the time, Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman think Swartz was driven to suicide by a two-year prosecution over the MIT hacking case which had "drained all of his financial resources" - despite not fitting any of the signs of clinical depression and associated disorders.
After Swartz's death, co-creator Kevin Poulsen donated the SecureDrop project to the Freedome of the Press Foundation, while James Dolan was "literally the only person in the world who knew all the ins and outs of the system, how to install it, and how to make it better" according to the FPF.
He had a high-paying computer security job at a large company by then, but I asked him if he’d be willing to come work for us so we could try to get SecureDrop into more newsrooms. We had hardly any money at the time, yet he immediately agreed—even though it meant taking an 80% pay cut. (Later, he would even refuse to accept a raise, insisting that we use any new funding to hire additional people to work on the project instead.)
In a tribute post, the Freedom of the Press Foundation said that Dolan had "long suffered from PTSD from his time serving in the Marines during the Iraq war," adding "It was an experience that affected him in multiple ways. He often cited the Iraq War as his inspiration for wanting to help journalists and whistleblowers; it made him realize governments needed to be much more transparent and accountable."
Dolan's friends and supporters were heartbroken over Twitter:
Secure Drop co-creator James Dolan has passed away. A huge loss. His work did so much to make journalism safer—and potentially louder. https://t.co/4s5LHBGXZA
— Joe Brown (@joemfbrown) January 9, 2018
As a journalist who uses SecureDrop every day, and as a citizen who wants more transparency, I am immensely grateful for the work of James Dolan, who I learn, only after his passing, took an 80 percent pay cut to keep working on SD. https://t.co/vSubLANgAt
— Ryan Tate (@ryantate) January 9, 2018
Very sad news. James Dolan, co-creator of @SecureDrop, has passed away at age 36. He was an amazing talent and a wonderful person. He will be sorely missed. https://t.co/gMQgGwhKsb
— Trevor Timm (@trevortimm) January 9, 2018
Timm, FPF's Executive Director, wrote “It is impossible to overstate how fundamentally important James Dolan was to the development of both Freedom of the Press Foundation and SecureDrop.”
Comments
Right... ...because being rich, young, and successful in New York city is such a drag.
Am I at the Fulton Fish Market????????
.....cause sumptin smells reeaaaaaaaaaaaaaallly scaly.....
In reply to Right... ...because being… by LawsofPhysics
Dammit, I thought Hillary was losing her power
In reply to Am I at the Fulton Fish… by BabaLooey
A real American hero, like Seth Rich, Edward Snowden, and Chelsea Manning.
In reply to Dammit, I thought Hillary… by YUNOSELL
You do not know what sins and crimes he felt he had to atone for during his actions in Iraq.
But that isn't relevant. This was gang stalking. Likely Mossad gang stalking.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
I'm making over $14k a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life. This is what I do... http://disq.us/url?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.Jobzon3.com%3Ab8eR_DQLwGRPVGtFv…
In reply to You do not know for what… by Planet ZOG
The theme for the 2nd ZH Symposium, June 1-3, is "The Insider."
We'll be sure to drink a toast to Dolan.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-10-17/theme-second-zerohedge-sympos…
In reply to Surrrre he did… by Currency Pinto
what did this jamoke piss off the Clintons somehow ?
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
This is what you'll get
when you mess with us.
In reply to … by InjectTheVenom
Shit happens. Move on.
In reply to This is what you'll get… by T-NUTZ
#3 better watch his back- looks like "suicide" is a virus in this club.......
In reply to This is what you'll get… by T-NUTZ
Everything happens for a reason. Shit doesn't just happen.
In reply to #3 better watch his back- … by jcaz
Suicide or Suicided?
In reply to This is what you'll get… by T-NUTZ
always the latter.
no need to ask.
In reply to Suicide or Suicided? by BennyBoy
why did you post this as a reply to that "online job" spammer "currency pinto"????
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
I think it is fake, freemasons love coding with 33, 666, and this dude was 36 years old which is 666, very likely I believe, most news is created to cause a reaction.
In reply to You do not know for what… by Planet ZOG
Yes hero. But let's be more cynical.
He 'long suffered'. According to whom? I don't trust that unless his mother said it.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
You can't even trust a mother.
Just look at how Seth Rich's parents were sewn up nice and tight.
In reply to Yes hero. But let's be more… by Bigly
Exactly.
"The New Yorker, the Washington Post, The New York Times, the Associated Press" = CIA.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
Hats off to all those that expose the truth in a world full of lies.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
Yeah you do not know what or how they threatened. Bunch of gangsters!
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
And today the FBI stated that encryption has become a serious problem because they can't break into 50% of phones. You know, the phones and records and that 4th amendment thing.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
Exactly.
I imagine some folks in suits with government identification payed a visit to the Rich family. Huge dollars and national security were discussed -- how else do you quell a parents grief. I conclude that these evil people will never see the inside of a prison cell - it's just the way it is. But I can hold strong that one day judgement will be passed.
./ it out.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
Yeah you do not know what or how they threatened. Bunch of gangsters!
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
If one's mother is a sellout, they truly have my condolences.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
His name is Bradley.
Enabling his gender identity disorder does him, and society at large, a disservice.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
Ditto placing Seth Rich on some kind of pedestal. We still have no real idea what his "hero" role was except that he might have been an email leaker. He was in charge of "voter enlargement" which is code for voter fraud, and he had served in Israel in the IDF and loved mocking goyim on July 4th. And he was a flaming democrat jew.
In reply to His name is Bradley. … by HoPewGassed
Which is exactly why Jews should wake up and realize they will be sold out whenever it suits their 'elites' just like in the shenanigans around the Transfer Agreement. Assimilate and defend your nation.
In reply to Ditto placing Seth Rich on… by Planet ZOG
I wonder who gains the most from this death..?
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
I wonder who gains the most from this death..?
Hmmm. HRC?
In reply to I wonder who gains the most… by gmrpeabody
And Satoshi.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
I am not sure that Manning belongs in this group. From what I have read, s/he was careless in leaking the information, putting troops in danger. Troops are just young guys — some of whom are excellent human beings, like Dolan — so careless leaking is irresponsible. What Snowden did was handled much differently. It sounds like Dolan was, likewise, a careful person, as well as brilliant. What a loss to society. The Schwartz story is one of the saddest around and a constant reminder that we need a check on power.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Swartz
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
I logged in specifically to tell you to go fuck yourself.
Go Fuck Yourself.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
A real American hero, like Seth Rich, Edward Snowden, and Chelsea Manning.
Chelsea Manning's a heroine, thank you very much.
Snowden (snowjob / snowed in) Manning (er...yeah), not a whiff of psyop...
Glenn Greenwald (GG:77) neither.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
@hedgeless
Any information on when and where Seth Rich's funeral took place and where he was buried? Websearch = nada.
In reply to … by hedgeless_horseman
Arron Shwartz was killed because he knew about the satanic pedo ring operation out of MIT. He never tried to steal answers to quizzes. This guy probably knew everything that Swartz did before he was killed. Maybe he was looking into some things before they killed him, or they just saw him as a future threat, maybe as a witness in court.
In reply to Dammit, I thought Hillary… by YUNOSELL
New rule: All suicides must be video recorded so we know nuttin' fishy!
In reply to Am I at the Fulton Fish… by BabaLooey
Obviously, this is war. I hope all patriots like this take some aggressive offensive measures to ensure this is not a possibility ...ever.
I am sad to read this. I'd bet big $$$ this is a deep state hit. I hope I'm wrong, but still sad.
In reply to Am I at the Fulton Fish… by BabaLooey
@ Bigly,
You’re not wrong. It appears the pardoning of Julian has some at the Pure Evil War Criminal Treasonous Seditious Psychopath Deeps State CIA / Mossad very Nervous.
Next is Desperation. Followed by recklessness & ultimate demise.
Ground Zero here is Langly.
Tick ce tock Mother Fuckers, your day of reckoning is fast approaching you. There’s absolutely NO SAFE QUARTER from Absolute Total Complete Elimination.
Who are the ones Nervous & Afraid now?
In reply to Obviously, this is war. I… by Bigly
(((They))) have a beautiful (/sarc) little system that never leaves a trail back to (((them))) of talking good people into killing themselves.
Live Hard, The More Humble, Altruistic And Caring A Person Is The Better (((Their))) System Works On The Victim(s) Too, Die Free
~ DC v8.4
In reply to Obviously, this is war. I… by Bigly
"(((They))) have a beautiful (/sarc) little system that never leaves a trail back to (((them))) of talking good people into killing themselves."
Yes they do. They tried it on me, but were not successful.
Yes, technology is used and non-consensual pharma. High tech stuff, but this is not only tech.
This is dark "stuff" that has been amongst us for a long time.
I saved myself by committing myself spiritually to God.
Otherwise I would not have made it.
Only the old school path towards sainthood will save you; not too popular, I know. Is it worth it? Yep
But death is not to be feared nor sought.
No fear folks.
In reply to (((They))) have a beautiful … by DuneCreature
I agree, there are high tech ELF techniques to really drag down one's psyche. .... They can do that to entire cities full of people. .. I know because I was involved in a project (contract) to do just that (Well, not with ELF microwave tech but through your boob tube tube). ... I'm sure with a directed op against an individual and today's EM gear they can probably achieve a very high success rate too.
There are low tech ways (((they))) use that are just as effective. ..... If you have family and friends (((they))) pretty well own the playing field.
Live Hard, Glad You And Yours Made It Pass The Assassin's Blade, pf, Die Free
~ DC v8.4
In reply to Yes they do. They tried it… by peddling-fiction
@ Dune,
Hey Brother, I responded to you on the Mud Slide Thread Page two. Ha! Let’s waste a little bit of these ”Agent Smith’s” time chasing Ghosts.
Got my Tin Foil cap on real tight. No ELF getting in Neither.
In reply to I agree, there are high tech… by DuneCreature
Can you expound on this personal experience "they tried on (you)" further?
In reply to Yes they do. They tried it… by peddling-fiction
Sure Dukes. Like DC said, they use microwave technology to mess with you in many different ways. ELF frequencies are used, since they are bioreactive, but they use a combination of two 400-3000Mhz waves to produce an ELF effect on you (500-489=11Hz for example). All your bodily functions can be stimulated or stopped (yep, your heart) with these frequencies. Extreme fear, anger, sadness, depression are at a flip of a switch. Your cerebellum and occipital regions are beamed with synthetic dreams, thoughts, or noise, and they can easily beam audio at you with V2K microwave technologies. You will be sleep deprived mercilessly with microwave "caffeine" to make you suggestible and close to psychosis. In a few minutes, I will post more.
In reply to Can you expound on this… by Dukes
Sad. He must have been very determined to shoot himself in the back of the head 13X with a nail gun.
In reply to Am I at the Fulton Fish… by BabaLooey
You're an idiot. You can't even recognize the significance of this incident.
In reply to Right... ...because being… by LawsofPhysics
Your an idiot that has to be spoonfed sarc tags
In reply to You're an idiot. You can't… by verumcuibono
So, you are too stupid to recognize sarcasm? Got it, please change you name to "american idiot". A perfect example of why the USA is in the shitter. What a fucking maroon.
In reply to You're an idiot. You can't… by verumcuibono
Not to defend VerumCuiBono, but written sarcastic statements are very difficult to discern and at a glance easily "read" as a strong opinion. VCB will eventually learn your method of posting, but meanwhile, I give those that are new to the style a grace period before slamming their heads into the pavement.
Excessive use of sarcasm ultimately destroys the message and alienates those are entering the arena of ideas.
Flame on!
In reply to So, you are too stupid to… by LawsofPhysics
Pagination