While its recently un-retired hacker colleague LulzSec rampage through News International's networks, Anonymous has taken the first steps to create a new social network for hackers.

The news came earlier this week when a number of Anonymous members were banned from Google's new Google+ social network. After the ban, the alleged Anonymous members responded by setting up a new site reporting itself as Anonymous' own Social Network.

In a statement subsequently released on the group's blog the hackers commented on Google's ban:

"As some of you know we got banned from Google+ due to some of our content. What we didn't know at the time is that we were just one of a handfull of Anonymous accounts that was silenced. This is the sad fact of what happens across the internet when you walk to a different beat of the drum.

"We've all heard the stories of activists being banned from FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube, and governments blocking their people from these sites as well through organized black outs. That day has came to an end. Not only did a few people organised an Operation against Google+, but we have started to build our own Social Network."

The original Google+ accounts were reportedly removed by Google as they violated its community standards policy.

Labelled Anonplus, the site is not currently fully active though its holding page claims that already 18 developers are working on the project.

The group's subsequent statement alleges that the new Anonplus service will operate under Anonymous' hacktivist sensibilities, meaning that it will remain completely uncensored and free of moderation:

"This is one social network that will not tolerate being shut down, censored, or oppressed - even in the face of blackout," adds the post. "We the people have had enough...enough of governments and corporations saying what's best for us - what's safe for our minds. The sheep era is over. The interwebz are no longer your prison."

LulzSec Return

The news of Anonymous' new Anonplus service comes just after its hacking comrades LulzSec return to the public eye. The group reappeared yesterday reporting a series of successful hacks against the Rupert Murdoch owned News International.

The group targeted the U.K. Sun newspaper's website, putting up a fake story alleging that Murdoch had died in his garden. After the company removed the fake story the hackers proceeded to forward all of the Sun's website visitors to LulzSec's Twitter page.

As well as enacting and publicising the attacks, the group also took the time to tweet a "shout out" to its "Anonymous brothers". The post has led to speculation that the attack on News International may not be a one off and that the group may have returned to its previous "lulz chasing" ways.

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