Yes, this is the same person. While it had nothing to do with his AT&T/ CFAA conviction, do not think for a moment that weev cares about your personal privacy. This is, after all, the person whose weapon of choice against individuals is... doxing. For the lulz.
We're programmers here, right? So we of all people should be able to decouple the case from the person. This is the last person we should be calling a hacktivist, or... Hero. He didn't do this for us. He didn't do this for public good. Still doesn't mean he should be in prison, though. I hope he wins on appeal, for all our sakes (CFAA).
He destroyed a good chunk of my life and took some innocent family members along for the ride. Please, fight the CFAA, but don't think for a heartbeat that when it comes to protecting our privacy, rights, etc. that THIS is the guy who "has our back."