On May 29, Robbin Young released two uncropped images of her chat with Guccifer 2.0, including her first messages with him on August 15 and her discussion with him about Seth Rich on August 25th, 2016. The versions she released are identical to the original version of the chat she released earlier in the year, available on her website, except for some visual differences.

The main visual difference between the messages is that the original message that Robbin Young posted from August 25, where Guccifer 2.0 says “His name is Seth, he was my whistleblower”, had an oddly placed block and garbage symbol, while the recently released version has no such sign. The editor of BullTruth Magazine, Hannibal Moot, had taken exception to these misplaced signs when Robbin Young originally released her chats, pointing to how the “block and garbage symbols” were in the wrong spot. However, Moot has since revised his claims, as Robbin Young had Tweeted out these uncropped screenshots of her chat with Guccifer 2.0. Hoot then explains a theory that the anomalies may be as a result of the software Robbin Young was using to record her chats. He states that “The software itself is what I would consider to be the strongest argument.”

Robbin Young’s recent releases of uncropped images of her chat add to the veracity and authenticity of her claim to have chatted with him, although the most decisive approach would be for her to invite a reporter or journalist to watch her accessing her chats. This approach will prevent the Washington Post from calling Young’s chats “unverified” in one article, and “possibly altered” in another article. Salon referred to it as a “purported direct message conversation.” Even Fox News, in their only televised reference to Robbin Young, stated, “although it’s not clear if the messages are in fact authentic.”

The content of Robbin Young’s messages can be more greatly explored in the future, including Guccifer 2.0 reference to Seth Rich as his whistleblower. There will also potentially be implications for the Russian hacking narrative.

Contact Steve Cunningham at stevecunningham@juno.com