MasterCard Blocks Payments to WikiLeaks

Credit card company won't allow use for 'illegal activity'
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 7, 2010 2:41 AM CST
Mastercard Blocks Payments to WikiLeaks
Forces are closing in on Julian Assange.   (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss, File)

The world's stomp on WikiLeaks just hit the jugular: MasterCard is blocking all payments to the muckraking media site. "MasterCard is taking action to ensure that WikiLeaks can no longer accept MasterCard-branded products," said a company spokesman. "MasterCard rules prohibit customers from directly or indirectly engaging in or facilitating any action that is illegal." Swiss authorities have already shut down a bank account used by Julian Assange, and PayPal has permanently restricted use by the group. WikiLeaks is still soliciting payments through the mail, and Visa contributions are still possible, notes CNET.
(More Julian Assange stories.)

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