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People who are convicted of drunk driving are often permitted to drive again (especially if they need to to go to work) but are required to put a breathalyzer i
by c22 3y ago
People who are convicted of drunk driving are often permitted to drive again (especially if they need to to go to work) but are required to put a breathalyzer interlock on their ignition so they can't drive drunk.
Perhaps similarly, people convicted of internet piracy could be required to operate with their torrent ports blocked, or with some sort of nanny state spyware installed on their devices.
- haswell 3y agoPeople who drive drunk and regain their privileges do so with restrictions that are meant to protect the people around them. The breathalyzer interlock is made to ensure that this person cannot endanger other people. I think it’s extremely problematic to compare piracy to drunk driving, and to model a punishment for piracy on the punishment for drunk driving for the reasons stated above.
- c22 3y agoObviously you have to believe that the behavior causes harm to justify a restriction, but if you don't accept this premise then you cannot have an opinion on what would be an appropriate response because you believe there should be no response. I'm not trying to take a position on this either way, but within the context of 'internet piracy causes some sort of damage' I don't think the comparison is particularly problematic.
- haswell 3y agoRestrictions are not the only form of punishment. Many infractions result in a simple fine. Others in mandatory education, etc. My point was that comparing this to a crime that kills people by the tens of thousands every year seems very stretched.
- renzobanks 3y agoanybody can simply change the ports on which they choose to download a torrent.
- c22 3y agoAnyone can disable, bypass, or remove the breathalyzer in their car.
- batch12 3y ago> Perhaps similarly, people convicted of internet piracy could be required to operate with their torrent ports blocked, or with some sort of nanny state spyware installed on their devices. So we need a pirate registry? And if you're convicted of 'internet piracy' (a term that is an excellent example of propaganda) then you forfeit any rights you have protecting your privacy and shielding you from warrantless government searches. Doesn't sound like an appropriate punishment for the offense to me.