3 ms·
Honestly not sure how you could describe this scheme as anything but extortion. As far as I can tell it seems to be their primary revenue stream, along with ad
by djrogers 8y ago
Honestly not sure how you could describe this scheme as anything but extortion. As far as I can tell it seems to be their primary revenue stream, along with ads for services that promise to 'erase' your arrest records...
- jMyles 8y agoSince the mugshot is a matter of public record, I think it's plausible to describe this scheme as free press, although with wholly odious content.
- perl4ever 8y agoWhat kind of extortion could you not describe as free speech?
- jMyles 8y agoThe kind where you're revealing a secret, a stolen object, or a falsehood. Or threatening to harm someone if they don't pay for "protection." You know, actual extortion.
- andrewla 8y agoYou can extort someone by threatening to reveal something, even if revealing that would not be criminal in and of itself. I feel that the distinction here is mainly that the information is already published -- they're not threatening any action if there's no payment. If they contacted people before posting their mugshots and demanded payment to not publish, then it would be cut and dry.
- s73v3r_ 8y agoThey're publishing for the sole purpose of getting people to pay them to take them down. I fail to see how that's any different than asking them first, except that now paying becomes that much more urgent.
- s73v3r_ 8y agoGiven the intent, I can't.