Ola Bini Describes Ecuador Hacking Case and Privacy Risks

Summary

Privacy advocate Ola Bini recounts his arrest in Ecuador, the disputed computer-access evidence against him and his continuing legal battle after a conviction for attempted unauthorized access.

Key points

• Bini says he was arrested in 2019 after an anonymous tip incorrectly identified him as one of two Russians mentioned by Ecuadorian officials.
• Authorities initially accused him of attacking computer systems without identifying a specific system or incident, according to Bini.
• Bini says encrypted drives and strong passwords hindered investigators, but they later obtained his phone PIN from building surveillance footage.
• Prosecutors cited a phone image showing a Telnet connection to CNT; Bini says no username was entered before the connection timed out.
• After a trial court declared him innocent in 2023, an appeals court found him guilty of attempted unauthorized access. Bini says his July 2024 appeal remained unanswered at the time of the interview.
• Bini disputes the proceedings and says their underlying motivation remains uncertain. He also describes continuing travel and banking restrictions.