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It's not stealing a car if you ask for it and they give it to you. That's what typing a URL into your browser is. Asking the server for info. AT&T could have ea

by drcube 14y ago

It's not stealing a car if you ask for it and they give it to you. That's what typing a URL into your browser is. Asking the server for info. AT&T could have easily programmed it to say "no".

eli 14y ago
IMHO, it's more like the car was left running with the windows rolled down. The owner is an idiot, but you're still not supposed to steal the car.
- anonymous 14y ago
  The windows rolled down and the key in the ignition. Also note that you can see such a car and not steal it, but if you send a GET request to a server and it responds, you've already "stolen" the data. The mere act of looking at the car and seeing the windows down is criminal now. So maybe the analogy works better like this: You're blind and walking around. Suddenly you get to some random car. Being a curious person you touch it to feel what kind of car it is and, in doing so, discover that the windows are rolled down. Reaching inside you also feel that the key is in the ignition. Then the question is, should you go to jail for attempting to steal the car (imagine that blind people are excellent drivers). You certainly did the exact same motions that a car thief would. Which are the exact same motions that a car enthusiast and curious person would do. The analogy breaks down about here, since the guy in the story copied the car by touching it, which we can't do yet.
  - danielweber 14y ago
    If you accidentally find out you have access to someone else's private data that you aren't supposed to have access to, there is a big distinction between your next step being 1. walking away, maybe telling someone 2. sucking up as much private data as you can
rayiner 14y ago
No, because the server is a machine and cant give consent on att's behalf.
- sneak 14y ago
  It can and did. That's why this isn't fraud.
  - rayiner 14y ago
    No it can't. The server is an inanimate object. It's like saying a broken lock can give consent for someone to enter.

by drcube 14y ago

It's not stealing a car if you ask for it and they give it to you. That's what typing a URL into your browser is. Asking the server for info. AT&T could have easily programmed it to say "no".

eli 14y ago

IMHO, it's more like the car was left running with the windows rolled down. The owner is an idiot, but you're still not supposed to steal the car.

anonymous 14y ago
The windows rolled down and the key in the ignition. Also note that you can see such a car and not steal it, but if you send a GET request to a server and it responds, you've already "stolen" the data. The mere act of looking at the car and seeing the windows down is criminal now. So maybe the analogy works better like this: You're blind and walking around. Suddenly you get to some random car. Being a curious person you touch it to feel what kind of car it is and, in doing so, discover that the windows are rolled down. Reaching inside you also feel that the key is in the ignition. Then the question is, should you go to jail for attempting to steal the car (imagine that blind people are excellent drivers). You certainly did the exact same motions that a car thief would. Which are the exact same motions that a car enthusiast and curious person would do. The analogy breaks down about here, since the guy in the story copied the car by touching it, which we can't do yet.
- danielweber 14y ago
  If you accidentally find out you have access to someone else's private data that you aren't supposed to have access to, there is a big distinction between your next step being 1. walking away, maybe telling someone 2. sucking up as much private data as you can

rayiner 14y ago

No, because the server is a machine and cant give consent on att's behalf.

sneak 14y ago
It can and did. That's why this isn't fraud.
- rayiner 14y ago
  No it can't. The server is an inanimate object. It's like saying a broken lock can give consent for someone to enter.