Wayback Machine Saves Thousands of Federal Webpages Amid Purge of Government Data Under Trump

Read the original thread here.

Urgent Digital Preservation: The Wayback Machine and the Fight Against Government Data Purges

In a fervent online discussion on Reddit’s r/technology subreddit, users expressed alarm and mobilized to support the Internet Archive and its Wayback Machine project. The catalyst for this urgency was a shared concern over the potential purging of valuable government data, particularly under the Trump administration. This article meticulously reconstructs this Reddit thread, preserving every nuance and detail while organizing it for clarity and accessibility.

The Looming Threat: Data Purges and “Book Burners”

The thread, titled “Wayback Machine Saves Thousands of Federal Webpages Amid Purge of Government Data Under Trump,” immediately sets a tone of urgency and concern. Users quickly adopted the metaphor of “book burners” to describe those potentially seeking to erase or alter government information.

• Initial Alarm and Call to Action: The top comment immediately urges action:

  Donate to the Internet Archive!!! We need to make sure there are backups to the wayback machine as well. Do not put it past this administration to not go after Internet Archive itself.

  This initial post highlights two critical concerns:

  1. The immediate need to support the Internet Archive financially.
  2. The fear that the Internet Archive itself could become a target.

• Practical Steps for Data Preservation: The thread quickly moves beyond mere alarm to actionable steps individuals can take. Users are encouraged to contribute directly to data archiving:

  For those of you who don’t already know - besides monetary donations, you can directly contribute to the archival of important data by downloading the ArchiveTeam Warrior and running it from your PC or Docker

  • ArchiveTeam Warrior: This refers to a software tool developed by ArchiveTeam, a volunteer group dedicated to web archiving. The ArchiveTeam Warrior allows individuals to contribute their bandwidth and computing power to crawl and archive websites. It’s available as a downloadable application or as a Docker container (a standardized unit of software, useful for consistent deployment across different systems).

• The End of Term Archive Project: The discussion highlights existing proactive measures for government data preservation:

  It should also be noted that Archive.org and other organizations have created an project called the End of Term Archive which makes a copy of pretty much every government website a few months before a new administration is sworn in. They’ve been doing this since 2008.

  • End of Term Archive: This collaborative project, involving the Internet Archive and other institutions, systematically archives U.S. federal government websites at the end of each presidential term. This ensures a snapshot of government information is preserved regardless of political transitions.

• Distrust and Historical Parallels: The “book burner” metaphor resonates deeply, evoking historical anxieties about censorship and the manipulation of information:

  Always good to hear about the internet archive saving information from book burners. We do still need individuals out there saving it themselves too, because eventually the book burners could become upset that people still have access to this information and come for it here next.

  This comment emphasizes the need for redundancy and distributed efforts in data preservation, suggesting that even the Wayback Machine itself might not be entirely safe from politically motivated interference.

Community Mobilization and Calls for Backup

The Reddit thread showcases a strong sense of community responsibility, particularly within the r/DataHoarder subreddit, known for its members’ dedication to digital data preservation.

• Data Hoarders to the Rescue? A user directly appeals to this community:

  SOMEONE over at r/DataHoarder PLEASE tell me you guys are making backups

• Enthusiastic Response and Increased Donations: The appeal to data hoarders is met with positive responses and pledges of support:

  I donate every year… Time to add another donation!

• Humorous and Sarcastic Takes: Amidst the serious concerns, there are moments of dark humor and sarcasm, often directed at political figures:

  in case anyone was wondering, here’s where the january 6 traitors reside. https://jan6archive.com/doj.html

  This comment, while seemingly flippant, underscores the political context of data preservation, linking it to specific events and individuals. The linked website, jan6archive.com, likely refers to an archive of information related to the January 6th Capitol riot.

  Watch, the current admin is going to label them “woke” and socialist and then demand they be shut down at some point.

  This comment satirizes potential politically motivated attacks on the Internet Archive, anticipating accusations of bias or ideological opposition.

  Shhhhhh! I’m all but certain the very concept of the wayback machine scares and confuses most of the ancient bastards trying to kill anything that scores and confuses them… Crease and desist letter heading their way

  This comment uses informal language (“ancient bastards,” “crease and desist letter”) to express skepticism and mockery towards those perceived as opposing digital preservation and open access to information.

• Strategic Concerns: Keeping the Wayback Machine Under the Radar? A dissenting voice suggests a more cautious approach:

  I kinda feel like a better strategy was to just not talk about the wayback archive right now. Trump only focuses on things being talked about. He probably had no idea this existed. 😭 In other words, Wayback Machine is the next target for rump

  This comment proposes that public attention might inadvertently make the Wayback Machine a target, suggesting that perhaps less publicity would be a more effective strategy for its protection. “Rump” is a likely pejorative reference to Trump.

Technical and Logistical Questions

The thread also delves into practical questions about the Wayback Machine’s infrastructure and resilience.

• Infrastructure and Backup Concerns: Users raise questions about the physical infrastructure supporting the Wayback Machine:

  Is this sitting on AWS or Google infrastructure? I hope it has backups outside of the US.

  This comment highlights concerns about centralized infrastructure and the potential for government influence or seizure within the United States. AWS (Amazon Web Services) and Google Cloud Platform are major cloud computing providers. The desire for backups “outside of the US” reflects a wish for geographical redundancy and jurisdictional independence.

• Redundancy and Distributed Backup: The importance of multiple backups is reiterated:

  Good. But let’s not put all our eggs in one basket. Those of us in a position to back up good useful data, should do so.

• Vulnerability to Purging? A user questions the Wayback Machine’s own vulnerability to data removal:

  Does anyone know if the Wayback Machine is still subject to purging by the easy method described in this post? I would hate if it was that easy to block things on that site. https://www.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/121m0z4/wayback_machine_vs_archivetoday/jdoxrnt/

  This comment refers to a separate Reddit thread discussing potential methods to remove content from web archives like the Wayback Machine and Archive.today. The concern is that malicious actors could exploit such methods to undermine the integrity of the archive.

Personal Experiences and the Value of the Wayback Machine

The discussion becomes grounded in personal experiences, illustrating the practical importance of the Wayback Machine.

• Real-World Use Case: Accessing Lost Data: A user shares a concrete example of how the Wayback Machine proved invaluable:

  I had to use the Wayback Machine to access a data dictionary for a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration dataset I’m using for work. The data are still available, but the codebook was taken offline shortly after January 20, presumably because there’s a race/ethnicity variable in the dataset or some shit. Unreal. Thank goodness I had the direct link, which I was able to use to search the Wayback Machine; it would otherwise have been very difficult to locate this document, without which the dataset is almost completely useless.

  This anecdote highlights the real-world consequences of government data removal. A crucial data dictionary, essential for understanding a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) dataset, was removed, likely due to politically sensitive content (“race/ethnicity variable”). The Wayback Machine provided the only means to recover this vital document.

• Emotional Outburst and Political Condemnation: The personal frustration leads to a strong emotional reaction:

  It feels like it barely needs to be said, but I’ll say it anyway: fuck these book burners and fuck everyone who put them in power. I will never forgive any of them for this.

  This raw emotion underscores the deep sense of betrayal and anger felt by those who value open access to government information.

Historical Context and Foresight

The thread references past actions and statements by the Internet Archive, demonstrating a long-standing awareness of potential threats to digital archives.

• Preemptive Measures and Relocation Plans: Links are shared to articles from 2016, revealing that the Internet Archive anticipated challenges under the Trump administration and took proactive steps:

  they planned ahead, almost a decade ago, as if they knew

  https://blog.archive.org/2016/11/29/help-us-keep-the-archive-free-accessible-and-private/ https://archive.attn.com/stories/13238/the-internet-archive-is-moving-to-canada-due-to-trump-presidency https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article118256733.html

  These links point to:

  • A 2016 blog post from the Internet Archive emphasizing its commitment to freedom, accessibility, and privacy.
  • Reports from 2016 indicating that the Internet Archive considered moving its servers to Canada in response to concerns about the incoming Trump administration.
  • News articles discussing these concerns and the broader implications for data preservation.

• Accusations of Illegality and Political Motives: Users express strong opinions about the legality and motivations behind data purges:

  Illegal purge. not that it matters anymore. Won’t even say what they’re deleting. Weak.

  The Trump admin is not interested in governing properly, these are unserious people. He wanted to avoid jail, he got it. Now the only goal is to destroy the country and the relationships with all of its allies.

  These comments reflect a deep distrust of the Trump administration and ascribe malicious intent to its actions, viewing data purging as part of a broader agenda of destruction and disregard for democratic norms.

Practical Solutions and Community Action

Beyond donations and technical contributions, the thread explores other ways to support data preservation.

• Local Backups and Distributed Efforts: The importance of individual and decentralized backups is repeatedly emphasized:

  Yes, help the Internet Archive and make local backups. Consider every online resource as at risk, and don’t forget Wikipedia as well.

  Time to put my nas to good use and download every .gov website

  NAS stands for Network Attached Storage, a home or small office server for data storage and backup.

• Humorous Suggestions for Physical Backups: A user injects humor while highlighting the need for physical copies:

  How get in there and make HARD copies! Print them all! Everyone grab something and hide it.

  Please make sure that gets saved to a physical copy and then into an undisclosed banker box.

  These comments, while partly humorous, underscore the fundamental principle of redundancy – that digital data is safest when backed up in multiple forms and locations, including physical media.

  I do hope that there are backup hard drives in offices throughout government, taped to the bottom of the desk, up in the ceiling, in the air ducts hidden away. They can put us all back together once the orange buffoon is evicted.

  This comment uses humor (“orange buffoon” is a likely reference to Trump’s skin tone) to express a hopeful vision of future data recovery and restoration.

• Addressing Broken Links and Maintaining Accessibility: The practical utility of the Wayback Machine for everyday web maintenance is highlighted:

  Also, many of these federal pages are linked across the countless websites that reference them around the internet. What a cluster fuck this is. Our own company is using Wayback links to replace the broken ones we’ll see, but we’re a smaller org. Can’t imagine those that have a much larger federal URL library.

  I used the way back machine to fix over 200 dead links on a project over the last 3 weeks - it’s truly an amazing piece of technology and true public good

  These comments illustrate how the Wayback Machine serves not only as a tool for historical preservation but also for maintaining the ongoing functionality and accessibility of the web.

Concerns about Future Threats and Musk’s Influence

The thread also expresses anxieties about potential future threats to the Internet Archive, particularly related to Elon Musk’s influence and actions.

• Musk as a Potential Threat: A user raises concerns about Elon Musk targeting the Wayback Machine:

  Musk has made public his intent to target/get rid of the Wayback Machine recently, so expect that to materialize in the near future. Not that there’s anything we can really do to fight it besides donate to the archive. But that’s exactly what we all need to do; they’re going to need money to fight soon.

  This comment suggests a perceived animosity from Elon Musk towards the Wayback Machine, based on unspecified “public intent.” It reinforces the call for donations to bolster the Internet Archive’s ability to defend itself against potential attacks.

  Someone take this down before Elmo reads it and sends his newly deputized goons to confiscate the servers.

  ”Elmo” is a likely sarcastic reference to Elon Musk. “Deputized goons” suggests a fear of arbitrary or politically motivated actions by Musk or his associates.

  Watch Trump and Elon ban the Wayback Machine.

  This comment further links Trump and Musk as potential threats to the Wayback Machine, suggesting a possible alliance or shared agenda.

• Historical Context: Previous Attacks on the Archive? A user alludes to past attacks on the Internet Archive:

  Who exactly attacked the web archive some time ago?

  This question hints at a history of challenges and attacks faced by the Internet Archive, though the specifics are not detailed in the thread.

• Geographical Context: Presidio and Musk’s Targets? A comment speculates about a possible geographical connection:

  It used to be in the Presidio in SF I believe. Is that why the Presidio is a musk Trump target?

  This comment suggests that the Internet Archive’s former location in the Presidio in San Francisco might be relevant to potential targeting by Musk and Trump, although the reasoning is speculative. The Presidio is a former military post now managed by the National Park Service and a conservancy.

Broader Implications and the Fight Against Censorship

The discussion expands to encompass broader themes of censorship, historical revisionism, and the importance of digital archives in a democratic society.

• The Continuous Nature of Data Purging: A user points out that data purging is not a new or isolated phenomenon:

  It’s more important because of all the purges, but the truth is they are doing this continuously, quietly. The wayback machine is an amazing resource.

  This comment emphasizes that the current concerns are part of an ongoing trend of information control and the crucial role of the Wayback Machine in countering this trend.

• COVID-19 “Pretend it Didn’t Happen” Scenario: A user draws a parallel to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic:

  Considering the COVID resolution was pretty much ‘lets pretend it didnt happen’, I feel like there is a greater than zero chance the easiest solution is going to be restoring backups from October ‘24 and pretending ‘25-‘2? just never happened.

  This comment expresses cynicism about political accountability and suggests a fear that historical revisionism and denial of past events could become normalized.

• Librarian’s Perspective: Fuck Censorship and Disinformation! A self-identified librarian passionately defends the Internet Archive’s mission:

  From a passionate librarian, fuck censorship and disinformation!

  This comment highlights the professional values of librarianship – open access to information and the fight against censorship and misinformation – and aligns them with the goals of the Internet Archive.

• The Digital Age and the Difficulty of Erasing History: A user expresses optimism about the challenges of censorship in the digital age:

  Hard to erase history in the digital age.

• ”True Heroes” and the Moral Imperative: The participants in data preservation efforts are lauded as heroes:

  True heroes.

  Doing the lords work. Good show!

  Yes! Realized that last night from another article. Gonna need those when he’s gone

  These comments imbue the act of digital preservation with a sense of moral righteousness and historical significance, framing it as a crucial defense against authoritarian tendencies.

A Counterpoint: Piracy Concerns

One comment introduces a dissenting perspective, raising concerns about copyright infringement on the Internet Archive and its potential consequences.

• Piracy as a Vulnerability: A user warns that rampant piracy on the Internet Archive could provide a pretext for government intervention:

  OK, this is probably going to be a spicy comment, but: The Internet Archive NEEDS to do something about all the piracy.

  To be clear, I’m not talking about dumps of 90s CD-ROMs that have been OOP for decades, or public domain materials. I mean how you can find complete sets of ROMs for recent consoles, full archives of TV shows that are still being sold/streamed for profit, music still being actively published, and things like that.

  I’ve been saying for awhile the rampant piracy is a problem, but now it’s a MUCH BIGGER problem. If the government wanted to come for TIA, they wouldn’t even need to justify the ‘censorship.’ They’d just call it a piracy crackdown while happily tossing all the babies out with the bathwater. In other words, TIA needs to make sure the government doesn’t have an excuse to come after them.

  OOP stands for Out Of Print. TIA is likely an abbreviation for The Internet Archive.

  This comment argues that while data preservation is crucial, the Internet Archive’s permissive approach to copyright infringement could be exploited by opponents to justify actions against it. The user suggests that addressing piracy is essential to protect the archive’s long-term viability and its ability to fulfill its mission of preserving valuable information, including government data.

Conclusion: A Call for Vigilance and Action

The Reddit thread, as a whole, serves as a powerful testament to the internet community’s awareness of the importance of digital preservation and its willingness to mobilize in defense of open access to information. It highlights:

• The vital role of the Wayback Machine and the Internet Archive in safeguarding government data and combating potential censorship.
• The urgency of supporting these organizations through donations and active participation in data archiving efforts.
• The need for vigilance against potential threats, both political and legal, to digital archives.
• The importance of distributed and redundant backup strategies to ensure the long-term survival of valuable digital information.
• The broader context of the fight against censorship and disinformation in the digital age, where preserving the historical record is more crucial than ever.

The thread’s blend of alarm, humor, practical advice, and community spirit underscores the deep commitment of many internet users to preserving digital history and ensuring that valuable information remains accessible to all. It serves as a potent call to action for continued support and vigilance in the ongoing battle to safeguard our digital heritage.