“Private capital tends to become concentrated in few hands. (…) Under existing conditions, private capitalists inevitably control, directly or indirectly, the main sources of information (press, radio, education). It is thus extremely difficult, and indeed in most cases quite impossible, for the individual citizen to come to objective conclusions and to make intelligent use of his political rights.”

Albert Einstein
(USA, May 1949)

December 26, 2024 — Yesterday, without any explanation, Amazon banned my book on the CIA Memorial Wall. I am convinced that this decision was made at the request of the CIA. Banning books, especially those tackling sensitive or controversial topics, represents a serious threat to democratic values.

Critics have long argued that Amazon’s close ties with the CIA could lead to indirect influence over its operations, though no direct evidence has surfaced to confirm such claims. Now, this situation presents journalists and investigators with a compelling case to explore. Stay updated and join the conversation by following us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY.

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In July 2007, I concluded that the CIA was editing sensitive information on Wikipedia. Initially dismissed as “wild speculative nonsense” by Jimmy Wales, this claim was later confirmed by irrefutable evidence.

In December 2007, I revealed that Crypto AG — a Swiss company first operated and later owned by the CIA — had rigged encryption equipment used by diplomats worldwide, enabling U.S. intelligence agencies to decode their messages in real-time. On February 11, 2020, my findings were vindicated when Swiss broadcaster SRF, German public broadcaster ZDF, and The Washington Post confirmed the story’s details.

Now, nearly two decades later, I am making a third extraordinary claim: Amazon has banned my book on the CIA Memorial Wall at the request of the CIA.

“What a fine weather today! Can’t choose whether to drink tea or to hang myself.”

Anton Chekhov

Amazon and CIA Contracts

In 2013, Amazon Web Services (AWS) signed a $600 million contract with the CIA to provide cloud computing services. Over the years, this relationship has expanded, raising questions about the extent of collaboration between Amazon and U.S. intelligence agencies.

Critics argue that such close ties could result in indirect influence over other parts of Amazon’s operations. However, no direct evidence has emerged to substantiate claims of external interference.

Some authors have alleged that their books on politically sensitive topics were removed or blocked due to external pressure.

Amazon, for its part, rarely provides detailed explanations for such actions, leaving room for speculation. In my case, they refuse to provide any explanation whatsoever despite repeated requests.

“Freedom of the Press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.”

George Orwell

Significant threat to democratic values

Banning books, particularly those addressing sensitive or controversial topics, poses a significant threat to democratic values. Democracies thrive on the free exchange of ideas, where individuals have the right to access diverse perspectives and challenge dominant narratives.

When books are banned, especially those that scrutinize powerful institutions or discuss contentious issues, it undermines the foundational principles of transparency, accountability, and intellectual freedom. This restriction stifles public debate, leaving critical issues unexamined and discouraging others from exploring similar topics for fear of censorship.

Moreover, banning books creates a dangerous precedent where gatekeepers — whether governments, corporations, or private entities — can control the flow of information, shaping public opinion to suit their interests. In such an environment, citizens are denied the opportunity to make informed decisions, eroding trust in democratic systems.

The suppression of ideas, particularly those that challenge authority or reveal uncomfortable truths, weakens the checks and balances that protect societies from corruption and abuse of power.

Protecting the freedom to write, read, and engage with all ideas is not just a matter of principle but a necessity for the health and resilience of any democracy.

“One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.”

Sigmud Freud
1907 letter to Carl Gustav Jung

What Can be done?

Media coverage and public attention may encourage transparency. I am of course welcoming any journalist who is willing to pursue this important story.

Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) or PEN America may be interested in investigating this case.

I will be exploring other publishing avenues. Publishers (in English, or other languages) are encouraged to contact me.

Meanwhile, I will share with the readers of my blog some of my findings regarding the first 31 stars on the Memorial Wall.

I will also reach out to experts and historians and share with them those findings that need further investigations.

And of course, I will be listening to my readers if they have advices or suggestions as to best proceed from this point on.

By the way… Efforts to ban or censor a book, especially one addressing sensitive topics, can backfire, bringing even greater attention to the very issues the suppression seeks to obscure.

Victor Marchetti’s book, The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence, is a prime example of a banned book that gained significant attention — and notoriety — after censorship efforts by the CIA.

REFERENCES

“Why Socialism?” for the first issue of the independent socialist magazine “Monthly Review.” A. EINSTEIN (Published in May 1949)

The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence — Published in 1974, it became the first book in U.S. history that the federal government successfully censored prior to publication. Marchetti, a former CIA officer, co-authored the book with journalist John Marks, revealing details about the agency’s inner workings and alleged abuses of power. The CIA demanded extensive redactions, with over 160 passages initially flagged for removal. After a legal battle, the authors were forced to comply with 27 redactions.

Despite (or perhaps because of) the CIA’s attempts to suppress it, the book became a bestseller and drew public attention to the issue of government secrecy. The controversy surrounding its censorship underscored the risks of attempting to suppress information in a democracy, often achieving the opposite effect by amplifying public curiosity and scrutiny.

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Intel Today Book on CIA Memorial Wall Banned by Amazon