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Lawmakers Say CFAA Is Too Hard On Hackers

Posted by samzenpus on from the won't-somebody-please-think-of-the-hackers? dept.

GovTechGuy writes "A number of lawmakers are using the death of Internet activist Aaron Swartz to speak out against the Justice Department's handling of the case, and application of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The controversy surrounding the Swartz case could finally give activists the momentum they need to halt the steady increase in penalties for even minor computer crimes."

1 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. Make the penalties lighter? by shellster_dude · · Score: 0, Troll

    Right now a hacker can cause billions in damages, and pull potentially millions of dollars in ill-gotten loot, and maybe see 15 years in prison. That is way too soft in my opinion.

    On the issue of Swartz, I don't know why the guy is some sort of cause-celeb just because he off-ed himself. He broke the law, plain and simple.

    In cases where individuals get unauthorized access, and aren't doing anything with it (not Swartz who was planning to distribute), I think there could be room for more lenient sentencing, especially on first offenses.