I'd argue yes. Linux is a dependency in a non-trivial subset of global infrastructure. If you tainted _without permission_ (implying no guidelines, no test scen

I'd argue yes. Linux is a dependency in a non-trivial subset of global infrastructure. If you tainted _without permission_ (implying no guidelines, no test scenario, no restrictions etc) your local water supply to see if you could and went with "It was a test! Here's some chlorine to fix it." you'd be in serious trouble. This study purposefully tainted the mainline kernel and in doing so absolutely everything that would be built on top of it. This was purposeful malicious action. Malicious actors should be punished.