3 ms·

> it is a criminal offense to violate the terms of service of a web site Sorry, what? Where? How's that even possible?

• dmurray 5y ago
  Among other places, in the United States. The CFAA [0] prohibits "access[ing] a computer without authorization or exceed[ing] authorized access". It's interpreted extremely broadly by the courts. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Fraud_and_Abuse_Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Fraud_and_Abuse_Act
• kingcharles 5y ago
  Here in Illinois they have a specific law which makes violating ToS a criminal offense punishable by up to 5 years in prison. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K17-51 https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=0...
  • goodpoint 5y ago
    This means I could set up watchcutecatpictures.org with some fine print that prohibits watching more than 10 cats a day and call the cops on random people. What legal reasoning exists to give companies this kind of unchecked power?
    • kingcharles 5y ago
      Just to make certain put a button that says "I agree" next to a link to the T+Cs. >According to the court, DeJohn's claim that he did not read those terms was >irrelevant because, absent fraud (which was not alleged), "failure to read a >contract is not a get out of jail free card." https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/publications/click-wrap-agreement-found-not-to-be-an-unenforceable-adhesion-contract-april-25-2003 https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/publications/click-wr...