YNOT – LulzSec, the hacker collective recently behind several high-profile attacks on the British census bureau, PBS, Sony, Nintendo, the CIA, the U.S. Senate and more than 50 porn sites, on Saturday announced its retirement.
The group gave no reason for its dissolution, but observers speculate group members were rattled by the recent arrest of Ryan Cleary, a 19-year-old Londoner who reportedly led the group. Cleary was nabbed on suspicion of violating the Computer Misuse Act and Fraud Act after authorities traced an incriminating IRC server to him.
Infamous hacker-turned-security consultant Kevin Mitnick speculated LulzSec’s alleged breakup may have come as a result not only of legal pressure, but also because the group inspired a number of copycat hacker collectives worldwide.
LulzSec “can sit back and watch the mayhem and not risk being captured,” Mitnick told The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, LulzSec’s Twitter stream remains active. The group has promised to release more stolen data from companies like AT&T in the coming months.
