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'Aaron's Law' Introduced To Curb Overzealous Prosecutions For Computer Crimes

SonicSpike writes: Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation today to better target serious criminals and curb overzealous prosecutions for non-malicious computer and Internet offenses.

The legislation, inspired by the late Internet innovator and activist Aaron Swartz, who faced up to 35 years in prison for an act of civil disobedience, would reform the quarter-century old Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) to better reflect computer and internet activities in the digital age. Numerous and recent instances of heavy-handed prosecutions for non-malicious computer crimes have raised serious questions as to how the law treats violations of terms of service, employer agreements and website notices.

"Aaron’s Law would change the definition of 'access without authorization' in the CFAA so it more directly applies to malicious hacks such as sending fraudulent emails, injecting malware, installing viruses or overwhelming a website with traffic."

2 of 206 comments (clear)

  1. Re:We need a law against overzealous prosecutors by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    The two of you just get back from the Hitler Youth Camp, or did you just attend the same seminar for junior thought police ?

    You broke Godwin's law by invoking Hitler too soon.

    35 years for you.

  2. Re:Aaron Swartz would still be alive by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes, because it would be 2009.

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.