3 ms·

If I were caught hacking into a private network of computers without authorization even if I had a "good" reason to do so I would be breaking the law and throne

by jostmey 12y ago

If I were caught hacking into a private network of computers without authorization even if I had a "good" reason to do so I would be breaking the law and throne in jail. So why is the NSA allowed to do the same?

sauere 12y ago
b-but m-muh terrorism
zz1 12y ago
What would happen to you if you were caught collecting e-mails of the whole world? What would happen of you if you were caught stealing documents from your representatives computer? Nothing is happening because the NSA and most representatives are PARTNERS in this crime. You must contact your representative and let him know that you are ready to do anything in order for him not to be reelected if he won't actively ask for justice.
dredmorbius 12y ago
Within the US, the NSA operates with legal impunity. It is beyond the reach of the law. At least so long as it's acting under official mandate -- rogue agents are apparently sanctioned if pursuing information for personal reasons. If caught. Outside the US, NSA operates with the diplomatic and military support of the US. It's not a matter of an individual hacker, but "an international incident" should something arise. There's some risk that an agent or operative (non-agency employee acting on behalf of the NSA) could be caught, but that would vary by field of operations and relations between that country and the US.
- PeterisP 12y ago
  And for such cases as in NSA, where the actions, though technically illegal, were clearly intended by the leadership - "sanction" can easily mean an official written reprimand stating "this is not acceptable", followed by a cash bonus and a promotion.
dj-wonk 12y ago
I am not a lawyer, but https://www.nsa.gov/about/faqs/oversight.shtml https://www.nsa.gov/about/faqs/oversight.shtml mentions Executive Order 12333 and other legal mechanisms.
zo1 12y ago
It's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to government/private moral duality. As an anarcho-capitalist, I've had to peel back years of this stuff that was forced into my brain since I was small. Most people hold a similar view as you. i.e. "Why is X wrong when people do it, but not when government/government employee does it". However, we anarcho-capitalists, who examine the basis of government in terms universal moral principles, apply this critique to everything a government does. Your singular question is one of many. And I urge you to explore such questions further, as far as you're comfortable questioning. You'll find that much of what government does is logically inconsistent, even with its own set of defined "morals".

by jostmey 12y ago

sauere 12y ago

b-but m-muh terrorism

zz1 12y ago

What would happen to you if you were caught collecting e-mails of the whole world? What would happen of you if you were caught stealing documents from your representatives computer? Nothing is happening because the NSA and most representatives are PARTNERS in this crime. You must contact your representative and let him know that you are ready to do anything in order for him not to be reelected if he won't actively ask for justice.

dredmorbius 12y ago

Within the US, the NSA operates with legal impunity. It is beyond the reach of the law. At least so long as it's acting under official mandate -- rogue agents are apparently sanctioned if pursuing information for personal reasons. If caught. Outside the US, NSA operates with the diplomatic and military support of the US. It's not a matter of an individual hacker, but "an international incident" should something arise. There's some risk that an agent or operative (non-agency employee acting on behalf of the NSA) could be caught, but that would vary by field of operations and relations between that country and the US.

PeterisP 12y ago
And for such cases as in NSA, where the actions, though technically illegal, were clearly intended by the leadership - "sanction" can easily mean an official written reprimand stating "this is not acceptable", followed by a cash bonus and a promotion.

dj-wonk 12y ago

I am not a lawyer, but https://www.nsa.gov/about/faqs/oversight.shtml https://www.nsa.gov/about/faqs/oversight.shtml mentions Executive Order 12333 and other legal mechanisms.

zo1 12y ago

It's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to government/private moral duality. As an anarcho-capitalist, I've had to peel back years of this stuff that was forced into my brain since I was small. Most people hold a similar view as you. i.e. "Why is X wrong when people do it, but not when government/government employee does it". However, we anarcho-capitalists, who examine the basis of government in terms universal moral principles, apply this critique to everything a government does. Your singular question is one of many. And I urge you to explore such questions further, as far as you're comfortable questioning. You'll find that much of what government does is logically inconsistent, even with its own set of defined "morals".