Getting sued for what you say on a messageboard

[PenguinKing]

Just for reference, if I posted your credit card numbers, Social Security Number, Mother's Maiden Name, Bank account info, etc...

Sure - if you can actually obtain all that information in the first place without going through illegal channels.

Go right ahead.

The comparison is a bit inapt, tho', because the legislation in question restricts any means of providing said information. I would be in violation of federal law were I to verbally communicate the means by which a given electronic security measure could be overcome - that's right, spoken word is covered.

The law has certain other side-effects, too. For example, legally, I can't point out that a given OS or piece of software has a security hole, even for purposes of critique; if I don't back up my accusation, it's making false claims, and if I do back it up with evidence, I'm providing information on how to circumvent electronic security - either way I'm breaking the law.

- Sir Bob.

P.S. Nih!

 

[Darkness]

Just for reference, if I posted your credit card numbers, Social Security Number, Mother's Maiden Name, Bank account info, etc...

Would that be cover under free speech?

Who can I help steal from and who can I not?

Free speech is not your only problem; you also have to observe board rules. Case in point - here on EN World, such a post wouldn't survive for more than a few seconds after a moderator saw it.

(edit: My first sentence should start with: "Whether or not it is free speech is not...")

 

[rounser]

Just for reference, if I posted your credit card numbers, Social Security Number, Mother's Maiden Name, Bank account info, etc...

Would that be cover under free speech?

To mangle/adapt a quote from Animal Farm:

"All speech is free, but some speech is more free than other speech."

 

[Axiomatic Unicorn]

Fair enough.

But as the CD you you would copy says it is illegal to reproduce, you are in effect aiding in the breaking of a law.

So let me re-present my question to form a better comparison.

What if I posted instructions for how someone else could obtain all that data about you?

Now *I* have not commited a crime, but I have assisted others in commiting one against you.

I break no laws and I only use "free speech"

No harm no foul?

 

[Axiomatic Unicorn]

Free speech is not your only problem; you also have to observe board rules. Case in point - here on EN World, such a post wouldn't survive for more than a few seconds after a moderator saw it.

(edit: My first sentence should start with: "Whether or not it is free speech is not...")

Is that actually a hint?

I do not see the relevance of THIS BOARD'S rules to the actual debate.

On that line, are you going to delete PengiunKing's post where he admits breaking the law? I am just joking of course, but shouldn't the rule apply for all?

 

[PenguinKing]

No, if you did that, you wouldn't be breaking the law, any more than an author is guilty of conspiracy to commit murder if he writes the biography of a famous serial killer, and someone reads his book, then re-enacts one of the killings described therein.

- Sir Bob.

P.S. Nih!

 

[Axiomatic Unicorn]

You edited whiel I was replying, no fair.

Anyway, I am not going to get into a defense of the absurdities that are government.

However, if I used smoke signals to tell someone else how to steal from you, I think you would not like it. The media is beside the point.

 

[PenguinKing]

However, if I used smoke signals to tell someone else how to steal from you, I think you would not like it. The media is beside the point.

There are a lot of things I don't like - that doesn't mean they should be against the law.

Oh, and as to your comment that "the CD says it's illegal to copy" - I think you should look up a little concept called "fair use". The "illegal to copy for any means" blurb that appears on most CDS is itself both in violation of copyright law and completely unenforceable - it's just there to scare the clueless.

- Sir Bob.

P.S. Nih!

 

[Darkness]

Is that actually a hint?

I do not see the relevance of THIS BOARD'S rules to the actual debate.

On that line, are you going to delete PengiunKing's post where he admits breaking the law? I am just joking of course, but shouldn't the rule apply for all?

Just musing, don't worry. As for deleting posts: I will edit out the content of any post that could get Morrus in trouble (e.g., links to illegal PDFs or whatever) and modify/edit out any post (or maybe close the thread; depends) that goes against other board rules (e.g., profanity).

 

[rounser]

Is that actually a hint?

I do not see the relevance of THIS BOARD'S rules to the actual debate.

I do. ENBoards have a policy against political debate. This thread has fallen firmly into that category, as far as I can see.