On September 14, George Washington University teacher of regulation Orin Kerr published an Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal outlining the bad things that would ensue if the "Facebook Felony" bill became a reality and made lying on the internet a felony. The 1980's cyber-security bill being amended has been changed many times; the "Facebook Felony" may not be an option any more, but there are still possibly severe changes.
What is a Facebook Felony
As teacher Kerr pointed out, fortifying of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, first written in 1986, would have made any lie on the internet a felony. With the regulation, it wouldn't have been okay to lie online at any time. This integrated during all services. This means that creating an account with a fake name, telling lies about your age, or even putting a fake weight on a dating profile could all count as felonies. The change to the law is intended, however, to target hackers that challenge the security of significant computer networks.
Amendment protects individuals
Urged by Kerr and others, the Senate Judiciary Committee considers the update to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act added an amendment. The exemption is for "access in violation of a contractual obligation or agreement, such as an acceptable use policy or terms of service agreement, with an Internet service provider, Internet website, or non-government employer, if such violation constitutes the sole cause for determining that access to a guarded computer is unauthorized." Al Franken and Chuck Grassley imagined of many examples that shouldn't be a felony but aren't ethical still in the discussion. Things such as creating anonymous accounts on FourSquare to add good reviews of your business - not felonious, but surely unethical. Statues for cyber security have been used in the past to prosecute bullies but only in extreme cases.
How you'll be affected
Regardless how this update to cyber security fares in Congress, the focus on online identity and security is definitely increasing. The Justice Department prosecutes a woman in 2009 for making a MySpace profile that was not real. Last year, a computerized program that bought tickets on TicketMaster led to criminal charges for an individual. Civil cases will often use laws preventing unauthorized access. Following the terms of service on any website you choose to use is always significant. When lying about age and other things on dating online websites, you probably won't get prosecuted. Still, you should always know the rules of what you are getting into.
What is a Facebook Felony
As teacher Kerr pointed out, fortifying of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, first written in 1986, would have made any lie on the internet a felony. With the regulation, it wouldn't have been okay to lie online at any time. This integrated during all services. This means that creating an account with a fake name, telling lies about your age, or even putting a fake weight on a dating profile could all count as felonies. The change to the law is intended, however, to target hackers that challenge the security of significant computer networks.
Amendment protects individuals
Urged by Kerr and others, the Senate Judiciary Committee considers the update to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act added an amendment. The exemption is for "access in violation of a contractual obligation or agreement, such as an acceptable use policy or terms of service agreement, with an Internet service provider, Internet website, or non-government employer, if such violation constitutes the sole cause for determining that access to a guarded computer is unauthorized." Al Franken and Chuck Grassley imagined of many examples that shouldn't be a felony but aren't ethical still in the discussion. Things such as creating anonymous accounts on FourSquare to add good reviews of your business - not felonious, but surely unethical. Statues for cyber security have been used in the past to prosecute bullies but only in extreme cases.
How you'll be affected
Regardless how this update to cyber security fares in Congress, the focus on online identity and security is definitely increasing. The Justice Department prosecutes a woman in 2009 for making a MySpace profile that was not real. Last year, a computerized program that bought tickets on TicketMaster led to criminal charges for an individual. Civil cases will often use laws preventing unauthorized access. Following the terms of service on any website you choose to use is always significant. When lying about age and other things on dating online websites, you probably won't get prosecuted. Still, you should always know the rules of what you are getting into.
About the Author:
How often have you wanted additional information on the best way to find a quick cash advance, and resorted to an internet search on "fast payday loans online?" Your search is over, all of the information you'll need is at MatchFinacial.com!
No comments:
Post a Comment