Lulzsec alleged to have hacked 2011 census

The UK 2011 census has been hacked, according to a message posted to text-sharing site Pastebin allegedly from hacking group Lulzsec.

The message states that data from every UK resident has been obtained, and will be released on the web.

"We have blissfully obtained records of every single citizen who gave their records to the security-illiterate UK government for the 2011 census. We're keeping them under lock and key though... so don't worry about your privacy (...until we finish re-formatting them for release)," said the message.

This corresponds with the group's Twitter feed yesterday. One message read: "Government hacking is taking place right now behind the scenes."

This was shortly followed by: "Our next step is to categorise and format the leaked items we acquire and release them in #AntiSec 'payloads' on our website and The Pirate Bay."

This means the group is planning to dump the information onto well-known peer-to-peer site, The Pirate Bay.

A statement on the Office for National Statistics website said:

"We are aware of the suggestion that census data has been accessed. We are working with our security advisers and contractors to establish whether there is any substance to this.

"At this stage we have no evidence to suggest that any such compromise has occurred."

Until now, Lulzsec has released details of its hacking initiatives over Twitter, including the recent attacks on the CIA and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

But in this instance, it denies involvement.

"Just saw the pastebin of the UK census hack. That wasn't us – don't believe fake LulzSec releases unless we put out a tweet first," it wrote on its Twitter feed.

The group has recently launched what it calls Operation Anti-Security. The intention appears to be attacking government targets.

"Join the fleet and tear the government and whitehat peons limb from limb – #antisec winds are strong," it said on Twitter.

In a press release on Pastebin, the group stated: "Top priority is to steal and leak any classified government information, including email spools and documentation. Prime targets are banks and other high-ranking establishments. If they try to censor our progress, we will obliterate the censor with cannonfire anointed with lizard blood."