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Using Net Proxies Will Lead To Harsher Sentences

Afforess writes "'Proxy servers are an everyday part of Internet surfing. But using one in a crime could soon lead to more time in the clink,' reports the Associated Press. The new federal rules would make the use of proxy servers count as 'sophistication' in a crime, leading to 25% longer jail sentences. Privacy advocates complain this will disincentivize privacy and anonymity online. '[The government is telling people] ... if you take normal steps to protect your privacy, we're going to view you as a more sophisticated criminal,' writes the Center for Democracy and Technology. Others fear this may lead to 'cruel and unusual punishments' as Internet and cell phone providers often use proxies without users' knowledge to reroute Internet traffic. This may also ultimately harm corporations when employees abuse VPN's, as they too are counted as a 'proxy' in the new legislation. TOR, a common Internet anonymizer, is also targeted in the new legislation. Some analysts believe this legislation is an effort to stop leaked US Government information from reaching outside sources, such as Wikileaks. The legislation (PDF, the proposed amendment is on pages 5-15) will be voted on by the United States Sentencing Commission on April 15, and is set to take effect on November 1st. The EFF has already urged the Commission to reject the amendment."

17 of 366 comments (clear)

  1. Frorst by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Funny

    They'll have to catch me firs&^&*(no carrier

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  2. Dear Legislators: by svnt · · Score: 5, Funny

    We spent millions on our warrantless wiretapping systems installed in telecoms across the nation. Unfortunately, it turns out you can avoid having your data collected by use of a fancy system called a 'proxy' that's been around since the dawn of the Internet. Who knew?

    Please fix this for us.

    Sincerely,
    The NSA

    P.S. We have sexting photos of your wives and daughters. They're not 'sophisticated' but they sure look like fun!

  3. Re:You can't surf without using a proxy. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You know, for a pollock, you certainly make a lot of sense.

  4. Re:Don't break da lew and you don't worry then by svnt · · Score: 2, Funny

    I really think the AC was confused and just understandably concerned about toilets continuing to function.

  5. Re:Different from wearing a mask? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    If you wear a mask to rob a bank, you will get a harsher sentence than if you rob a bank without a mask. Now, masks aren't banned - you are totally free to wear one in public. Wearing a mask is neither a crime nor suspicious behavior that can be used as evidence of a crime by itself. The increased punishment only applies if you commit a crime wearing a mask.

    Now replace mask with proxy.

    $_ = "If you wear a mask to rob a bank, you will get a harsher sentence than if you rob a bank without a mask. Now, masks aren't banned - you are totally free to wear one in public. Wearing a mask is neither a crime nor suspicious behavior that can be used as evidence of a crime by itself. The increased punishment only applies if you commit a crime wearing a mask.";

    $_ =~ s/masks/proxies/g;
    $_ =~ s/mask/proxy/g;
    eval $_;

    "If you wear a proxy to rob a bank, you will get a harsher sentence than if you rob a bank without a proxy. Now, proxies aren't banned - you are totally free to wear one in public. Wearing a proxy is neither a crime nor suspicious behavior that can be used as evidence of a crime by itself. The increased punishment only applies if you commit a crime wearing a proxy."

  6. my "pet peave" by PotatoSan · · Score: 2, Funny

    pet peeve

    1. Re:my "pet peave" by JustOK · · Score: 2, Funny

      It should be D'oh!

      --
      rewriting history since 2109
    2. Re:my "pet peave" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      My pet pees while I pet peas.

  7. Conversely by gringofrijolero · · Score: 2, Funny

    Anybody who goes about screaming, "HEY! Look at me! I'm doing something you don't like!" on the net, with a camera broadcasting your face, name ,and address, will receive a letter of commendation and a gold star from the president.

    --
    Todos mis movimientos están friamente calculados
  8. I have one thing to say to this law- by moniker127 · · Score: 2, Funny
  9. Re:Different from wearing a mask? by Red+Flayer · · Score: 4, Funny

    While not unknowingly, some wear masks for safety reasons (paint sprayers, hazardous materials, motorcycling).

    Cosplaying, attending conventions, hiding deformities...

    Protip: remember your audience :)

    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  10. Re:But by Hurricane78 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, port scanning is a crime, when you do it on my servers. ^^
    Because then I will activate out my little packet and exploit artillery, and it's goodbye to you. ^^

    --
    Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
  11. Re:Different from wearing a mask? by Thinboy00 · · Score: 2, Funny

    While not unknowingly, some wear masks for safety reasons (paint sprayers, hazardous materials, motorcycling).

    Cosplaying, attending conventions, hiding deformities...

    Protip: remember your audience :)

    What, is the Phantom reading this?

    --
    $ make available
  12. Re:Away! Into our submarine! by Shakrai · · Score: 3, Funny

    If most people actually tried to *think*, we wouldn't have these stupid laws in the first place

    Actually the problem with half our laws is people thinking too damn much, IMHO. If we just legislate X, then Y will go away/be solved/cease to be a problem. Perhaps our legislators should stop thinking, stop legislating and just enjoy the DC cocktail circuit while leaving the rest of us the hell alone?

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
  13. Re:But by godless+dave · · Score: 2, Funny

    We Americans frown on sophistication, and would like to encourage criminals to be simple.

    --
    "If it's real, then it gets more interesting the closer you examine it. If it's not real, just the opposite is true." -
  14. Re:Away! Into our submarine! by Opportunist · · Score: 2, Funny

    Calling someone a homosexual is now a jailable offense? That's so gay!

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  15. Re:Away! Into our submarine! by EdIII · · Score: 3, Funny

    I wouldn't count on that. They have cellphone sniffing dogs already. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find out they have hard drive sniffing dogs.

    Aha! I thought of that already... which is why I have a little hard drive case lined with some nice Columbian ground coffee. Ohh, and I shove that up my ass.