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For real. Openly bragging about exploiting security flaws to scrape out data en-masse, which undoubtedly put massive strain on back-end systems, is a far cry fr
by RhodesianHunter 3y ago
For real. Openly bragging about exploiting security flaws to scrape out data en-masse, which undoubtedly put massive strain on back-end systems, is a far cry from what is considered legal (politely scraping public information).
- chatmasta 3y agoI think this is the least of their concerns considering the rest of their activities. I guess they've got a sort of pirate's privilege in that they can openly brag about this stuff since they're already starting from the point of openly flaunting the law. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if there simply are no lawyers working at, for or with Anna's Archive.
- neilv 3y agoThey could possibly get important ongoing support from institutions like the EFF and Berkman. But I think that's less likely if they're gleefully bragging about civil and criminal liabilities. And also chilling future data-sharing willingness for other orgs (because someone is coming along and ignoring assurances).
- dredmorbius 3y agoScraping and giving away the content is a better look than scraping and selling it as well. This is being done for public benefit, not private profit.
- RhodesianHunter 3y agoI'm not commenting on the morality, only the legality.
- dredmorbius 3y agoThe legality is itself a function of commercial and political power amongst publishers. In front of a jury of peers, the moral arguments might well be persuasive.
- kristianp 3y agoflaunting-> flouting
- chatmasta 3y agoNice catch, thanks. I suppose they're flaunting their flouting of the law ;)