The documents, which include emails and internal memos, show that the Secret Service began investigating Swartz in 2011, after he was arrested for downloading millions of academic articles from the JSTOR database. The Secret Service was concerned that Swartz's actions could pose a threat to national security, and it opened an investigation into his activities.
The investigation included interviews with Swartz's friends and family, as well as searches of his home and computer. The Secret Service also obtained a court order to track Swartz's movements using his cell phone.
The documents show that the Secret Service investigation was ultimately closed without charges being filed. However, the investigation had a significant impact on Swartz's life. He was forced to drop out of college, and he was unable to find a job. He also became increasingly depressed, and he ultimately took his own life.
The documents obtained by The Intercept provide new insights into the Secret Service's investigation of Swartz. They also raise questions about the agency's role in monitoring political activists and journalists.
In a statement to The Intercept, the Secret Service said that it could not comment on specific cases. However, it said that it "takes its responsibility to protect the nation's security very seriously."
Swartz's death has been widely mourned by the internet community. He is considered a hero by many for his work on open access to information. The documents obtained by The Intercept provide a glimpse into the government's efforts to silence Swartz, and they serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting free speech and privacy.
