Release of leaked documents on Reddit complicates contentious UK election

This appeared in The Millennial Source

In an announcement that complicates this week’s already contentious election in the United Kingdom, Reddit declared on Friday, December 6 that its security team had reason to believe Russian hackers had leaked confidential US-UK trade documents.

“We were recently made aware of a post on Reddit that included leaked documents from the UK,” a statement issued by Reddit said. “We investigated this account and the accounts connected to it, and today we believe this was part of a campaign that has been reported as originating from Russia.”

In response to the leak, the site has banned 61 accounts for violating company policies that include vote manipulation and misuse of its platform.

A British government spokesperson praised Reddit’s action, saying “online platforms should take responsibility for content posted on them, and we welcome the action Reddit have taken.”

What information is contained in these documents?

The leaked documents are alleged to contain sensitive details on trade negotiations between the United Kingdom and United States, including, among other things, the possibility of opening up the…