What harm does public data have to you? Couldn’t one just ignore the ads? You can’t see anyone watching you, is public data good for public records? (I’m just curious). I know this sounds weird but is public data good for historical preservation and knowledge increasing the importance of the individual? And does public data lead to better products?

    • tdgoodman@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      As written, the CFAA really does make violating terms of service become unauthorized access and thus a felony. Some courts have pushed back on this, but I don’t think it has been clearly decided.

      • Uriel238 [all pronouns]@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        There’s now precedent that no one reads Terms of Service anyway but yeah, it’s still a toss up whether or not you get a hanging judge.

        Part of the problem is CFAA violation felony charges for mild violations is the means by which our federal government punishes many whistleblowers who alert the public of embarrassing activities by our officials. And rather than part with this means to drive Aaron Swartz to suicide prosecute enemies of the state. The US has a lot of laws which are disregarded except when VIPs want to hurt someone or assure nonwhites stay in their place.