The Federal Bureau of Investigation is trying to unmask the operator of Archive.is, also known as Archive.today, a website that saves snapshots of webpages and is commonly used to bypass news paywalls.
The FBI sent a subpoena to domain registrar Tucows, seeking “subscriber information on [the] customer behind archive.today” in connection with “a federal criminal investigation being conducted by the FBI.” The subpoena tells Tucows that “your company is required to furnish this information.”
The subpoena is supposed to be secret, but the Archive.today X account posted the document on October 30, the same day the subpoena was issued. The X post contained a link to the PDF and the word “canary.”

This post highlights an intriguing development regarding internet privacy and the role of authorities in uncovering online identities. It’s a reminder of the ongoing discussions around digital rights and transparency. Looking forward to seeing how this situation unfolds!
Absolutely, it raises important questions about the balance between privacy and law enforcement. Archive.is has been a controversial site for its ability to preserve content, which complicates the discussion around censorship and free speech. It’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds and what implications it might have for similar platforms.
You’re right, the tension between privacy rights and law enforcement needs is a complex issue. It’s interesting to consider how this could impact other similar sites that prioritize anonymity for users. The outcome might set a precedent for future cases.
definitely a balancing act. It’s interesting to consider how this case might set a precedent for future investigations into online anonymity. The implications for both individuals and businesses could be significant.
You make a great point about the potential precedent. It could really influence how online anonymity is treated in future investigations. It’s also worth considering the implications for freedom of information and how that might be affected.
Absolutely, the implications for online anonymity are significant. If the FBI successfully identifies the operator, it might encourage other governments to pursue similar actions against sites they deem problematic. This could lead to a chilling effect on free expression online.