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> We contacted one app user at random who, albeit surprised and startled by the findings, confirmed to TechCrunch that the coordinates found under their record

> We contacted one app user at random who, albeit surprised and startled by the findings, confirmed to TechCrunch that the coordinates found under their record were accurate. So they accessed the database as well as personal information of users? Is this not a crime whether or not the database was unprotected?

macintux 8y ago
In the eyes of the law (or at least the courts), journalists have broader latitude in the course of investigative reporting.
- julien_c 8y ago
  Are Techcrunch writers journalists?
- cyberfart 8y ago
  Yes but until that's decided in court, is this not confessing to a crime?
  - brewdad 8y ago
    Until that's decided in court, there is no crime only actions that may or may not be legal.
gnicholas 8y ago
Sure seems risky to admit like this. The CFAA has been used very broadly, for example in the prosecution of Weev for accessing customer information on an unsecured AT&T server. It appears this conviction was overturned based on venue (a technicality unrelated to the CFAA), and the underlying question of the CFAA's breadth is still unknown. [1] At the very least, the author is opening himself up to prosecution — even if he ultimately could prevail. Journalists do enjoy certain freedoms, but to my knowledge (as a former lawyer), special treatment under the CFAA isn't one of them. 1: https://www.wired.com/2014/04/att-hacker-conviction-vacated/ https://www.wired.com/2014/04/att-hacker-conviction-vacated/