4 ms·

I think the only case of DDOS attacks resulting in a prosecution and later sentencing here in Sweden was when a 16 year old took down the websites of our two bi

I think the only case of DDOS attacks resulting in a prosecution and later sentencing here in Sweden was when a 16 year old took down the websites of our two biggest banks. The maximum sentence was apparently 6 months, but since he was a minor he got 140 hours of community service [1]. I'm not saying our legislation is more appropriate, but always fascinating to see the difference in sentencing between the US and here (and I guess most European countries). 26 months seems somewhat excessive. [1]: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dagensjuridik.se%2F2017%2F12%2Ffallande-dom-i-dataintrangsmal-tonaring-slog-ut-nordeas-och-swedbanks-hemsidor https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%...

C1sc0cat 8y ago
If you robbed the bank of the same amount of cash you would be doing a long stretch of hard time I bet.
- swarnie_ 8y ago
  What kind of savage country gives a 16 year old "a long stretch of hard time" ?
  - C1sc0cat 8y ago
    If they went over the bank counter with a sawnoff shotgun - most of them. I was commenting on the lesser sentences for digital crimes - even if you discount use or firearms or weapons.
- gnode 8y ago
  This is an interesting point. The attacks probably did have a significant financial cost to the banks and their customers, but harm is not the only factor that goes into sentencing. Judges often recognise that young people are less deserving of punishment due to their natural inexperience and weaker ability to foresee consequences. To be rehabilitated, they may only need to grow up, and a severe punishment is unnecessary. Also the nature of intent and forethought are important, but are interpreted differently. Some jurisdictions tend to punish an easy crime like a DDoS less, because less planning and premeditation suggests a less guilty mind could commit the crime. Other jurisdictions punish more, because they want a greater deterrent.
n0mad01 8y ago
and of course, there is no connection between sentencing and privatized prisons
- maxxxxx 8y ago
  Only a small percentage of prisons are private so I don’t believe this plays much of a role. In the end US society just likes to punish people and to be “tough”.
- barry-cotter 8y ago
  Quite right, prison guard unions have just as great an incentive to lobby for harsher sentencing as private corporations operating prisons do. They exist in state run prisons and no politician wants to piss off a public service union. They’re organised and they vote, same as teachers, police or firefighters.
modzu 8y ago
somewhat excessive? the guy's life has been destroyed. the FBI agents were laughing about it, because the story is kind of funny. unless you think about what is actually happening to him. sitting in a prison cell for 2 years, all your posessions gone, your house and your job and your girlfriend all gone... because why exactly?

C1sc0cat 8y ago

If you robbed the bank of the same amount of cash you would be doing a long stretch of hard time I bet.

swarnie_ 8y ago
What kind of savage country gives a 16 year old "a long stretch of hard time" ?
- C1sc0cat 8y ago
  If they went over the bank counter with a sawnoff shotgun - most of them. I was commenting on the lesser sentences for digital crimes - even if you discount use or firearms or weapons.
gnode 8y ago
This is an interesting point. The attacks probably did have a significant financial cost to the banks and their customers, but harm is not the only factor that goes into sentencing. Judges often recognise that young people are less deserving of punishment due to their natural inexperience and weaker ability to foresee consequences. To be rehabilitated, they may only need to grow up, and a severe punishment is unnecessary. Also the nature of intent and forethought are important, but are interpreted differently. Some jurisdictions tend to punish an easy crime like a DDoS less, because less planning and premeditation suggests a less guilty mind could commit the crime. Other jurisdictions punish more, because they want a greater deterrent.

n0mad01 8y ago

and of course, there is no connection between sentencing and privatized prisons

maxxxxx 8y ago
Only a small percentage of prisons are private so I don’t believe this plays much of a role. In the end US society just likes to punish people and to be “tough”.
barry-cotter 8y ago
Quite right, prison guard unions have just as great an incentive to lobby for harsher sentencing as private corporations operating prisons do. They exist in state run prisons and no politician wants to piss off a public service union. They’re organised and they vote, same as teachers, police or firefighters.

modzu 8y ago

somewhat excessive? the guy's life has been destroyed. the FBI agents were laughing about it, because the story is kind of funny. unless you think about what is actually happening to him. sitting in a prison cell for 2 years, all your posessions gone, your house and your job and your girlfriend all gone... because why exactly?