A former web producer at KTXL, Tribune’s Fox affiliate in Sacramento, has been charged with helping the group Anoymous hack into Tribune websites. Matthew Keys, who is currently a social media editor at Reuters, is accused of providing credentials for the group to gain access to the KTXL computer server in 2010, according to the Tribune-owned Los Angeles Times:
The indictment says Keys provided members of the hacker group Anonymous with log-in credentials for a computer server belonging to KTXL FOX 40’s corporate parent, the Tribune Co.
According to the indictment, Keys identified himself on an Internet chat forum as a former Tribune Co. employee.
AdvertisementAfter providing log-in credentials, Keys allegedly encouraged the Anonymous members to disrupt the website. According to the indictment, at least one of the computer hackers used the credentials provided by Keys to log into the Tribune Co. server, and ultimately that hacker made changes to the web version of a Los Angeles Times news feature.
Keys, who has been suspended by Reuters, is also a former producer at KGO in San Francisco. Last year, he broke the news that the ABC O&O would be canceling “7 Live,” an interactive local talk show.
Keys faces up to 10 years in prison if he is convicted. “I am fine. I found out the same way most of you did: From Twitter,” Keys tweeted Thursday evening. “Tonight I’m going to take a break. Tomorrow, business as usual.”