FBI moves to uncover Archive.is operator

Widely used archiving website Archive.is which is also known as Archive.today and Archive.ph and has been leveraged for evading paywalls is having its operator's identity sought to be uncovered in an FBI investigation, according to Ars Technica.

In a subpoena issued on Oct. 30, the FBI ordered Ontario-based domain registrar Tucows to provide extensive information on Archive.is, including its customer or subscriber name, addresses, service duration, phone call and text records, session time records, internet connectivity information, payment details, IP addresses, mobile device identification codes, and kinds of provided services by Nov. 29.

"If you refuse to obey this subpoena, the United States Attorney General may invoke the aid of a United States District Court to compel compliance. Your failure to obey the resulting court order may be punished as contempt," said the subpoena.

Tucows noted in a statement that it would comply with giving information, provided that due process is observed. Such a development comes months after paywall bypass site 12ft.io was closed down following efforts from the News/Media Alliance.