Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Usually when news like this comes up there are many comments along the lines of "it's okay, if you behave/do not touch data files/disclose/etc". Bad news folks - this might be ok by you, it's not ok by the law.

Unauthorized computer access is jail-time illegal. Do not access any computer or computer network without owner's permission. Seek legal counsel if you're not 100% clear about this, and do it before you get your ass in trouble.



It's still fair to say that prosecuting after the fact, if you can find the person responsible, is a pretty shoddy way to run your security. And if you acknowledge that, then it isn't difficult to see the value - both to product and to PR - of choosing to be magnanimous with the benign ones. It's still fair to criticize Facebook for an overreaction which appears to be a way to cover its own ass and deflect attention from the larger issue, namely, that it should have spent to prevent this in the first place, and that nobody knows who else is accessing user information.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: