Wellington’s Checkmate gay sauna, closed for several months, has had its website hacked by a group trying to draw attention to violence against civilians in the Middle East. Claiming that Syrian president Bashar Hafez al-Assad's forces are "killing women and children” the group, which calls itself ‘Cyber Ps,’ says in material appearing on the Checkmate site that are “just sending a message without hurting your website.” Although there is a reference to being “Syrian and Brazilian hackers” it isn’t know with any certainty where the group is based. The material has been appearing for several days. Checkmate manager Joe George says he is “fully aware of the hacking” and is waiting “with bated breath” for information from the police as to how to proceed. George says the hacking “will make absolutely no difference” with plans still to re-open in late March once the demolition work of the neighbouring earthquake-damaged Readings car parking building is complete. [Editor's note: shortly after this news story was written it became apparent that Checkmate had regained control of its website and is now presenting its usual information.]
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 16th January 2017 - 10:39am