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DOJ: Violating a Site's ToS Is a Crime

Posted by samzenpus on from the who'd-click-without-reading? dept.

ideonexus writes "CNET has obtained a statement to be released by the Department of Justice tomorrow defending its broad interpretation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) that defines violations of 'authorized access' in information systems as including any act that violates a Web site's terms of service, while the White House is arguing for expanding the law even further. This would criminalize teenagers using Google for violating its ToS, which says you can't use its services if 'you are not of legal age to form a binding contract,' and turns multiple attempts to upload copyrighted videos to YouTube into 'a pattern of racketeering' according to a GWU professor and an attorney cited in the story."

9 of 536 comments (clear)

  1. Woo hoo! by Skidborg · · Score: 4, Funny

    /goes off to create websites with demented ToS.

    --
    Supporter of the +1 Over Dramatic mod option. In memory of apk.
    1. Re:Woo hoo! by Aryden · · Score: 4, Funny
      Be sure to include:
      1. Souls of first born
      2. Cancellation Fees
      3. Cow bell
  2. Re:Wow, I first read that as "*isn't* a crime" by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 4, Funny

    For that second I actually got to believe that it was even *remotely* possible that a government official might actually take the side of the vast majority of citizens and consumers in America

    So what were you high on? ;-)

  3. Re:Enough by GameboyRMH · · Score: 5, Funny

    Surely the next guy will be different!

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  4. New ToS clause by tdelaney · · Score: 5, Funny

    The following acts are considered violations of these Terms of Service. Additional acts may be considered violations at the owner's discretion.

    1. Being a member/employee of the United States Department of Justice.

    2. Being a member/employee of the RIAA and/or associated organisations.

    3. Being a member/employee of the MPAA and/or associated organisations.

  5. Re:TOS, EULA by SJHillman · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm confused. Do I have to keep sacrificing goats or not?

  6. Re:Wow, I first read that as "*isn't* a crime" by Cutting_Crew · · Score: 4, Funny

    looks like i picked the wrong day to quit sniffin glue.

  7. Re:Wow, I first read that as "*isn't* a crime" by Spad · · Score: 4, Funny

    On the upside, if he did get elected president it would be a huge boon for small torture business owners.

  8. Re:Wow, I first read that as "*isn't* a crime" by ancientt · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well that changed.

    --
    B) Eliminate all the stupid users. This is frowned upon by society.