Experts Say MySpace Suicide Indictment Sets 'Scary' Legal Precedent

News Type: Event — Seeded on Fri May 16, 2008 9:24 AM EDT

Article Source: Wired News

In their eagerness to visit justice on a 49-year-old woman involved in the Megan Meier MySpace suicide tragedy, federal prosecutors in Los Angeles are resorting to a novel and dangerous interpretation of a decades-old computer crime law -- potentially making a felon out of anybody who violates the terms of service of any website, experts say.

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{"commentId":1807224,"authorDomain":"ndoz"}

ndoz

Does this mean I can't setup a fake Jenna Jameson profile on MySpace? Am I illegally accessing their computers then?

{"commentId":1807224,"threadId":"265334","contentId":"1492636","authorDomain":"ndoz"}

#1 - Fri May 16, 2008 9:27 AM EDT

{"commentId":1807324,"authorDomain":"lilorphant"}

lilorphant

I think they are prosecuting on the wrong grounds, but conversely what is the point of agreeing to a terms of services if you aren't expected to fulfill you side of the agreement? I agree that it binds people to unrealistic terms, so they should be explicit, besides average people are not lawyers, and the legalese they are written in is too vague to make an informed consent.

That all being said. If you use your computer to cause harm to a minor intentionally and willfully, stalking, harrassing, soliciting, exchanging false identifiers (as this person did) than you should be treated as any other child predator.

As far as I am concerned this woman clearly solicited a teenager online. She knew the girl was underage, she stalked her, spied on her, created a romantic attachment, and intended harm. If it was a man who did this he would be in deep @!$%#.

{"commentId":1807324,"threadId":"265334","contentId":"1492636","authorDomain":"lilorphant"}

2 votes

#2 - Fri May 16, 2008 9:49 AM EDT

{"commentId":1813204,"authorDomain":"Edmundodaniel"}

Edmundo Daniel Salazar

The woman was an adult that went out of her way to mentally abuse a kid. They were neighbors they know each other. That woman went after that kid on purpose.

{"commentId":1813204,"threadId":"265334","contentId":"1492636","authorDomain":"Edmundodaniel"}

#3 - Sat May 17, 2008 4:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":1813208,"authorDomain":"Edmundodaniel"}

Edmundo Daniel Salazar

Can any body tell me what you can do as a parent to protect your kids . Honor system does not work

{"commentId":1813208,"threadId":"265334","contentId":"1492636","authorDomain":"Edmundodaniel"}

#4 - Sat May 17, 2008 4:41 PM EDT

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Mo. lawmakers vote to bar Internet harassment	Associated Press	Thu May 15	86
US 'cyber-bully' mother indicted	BBC News	Fri May 16	0
Routine conduct at risk with MySpace suicide case	Associated Press	Fri May 16	8
MySpace suit challenges 'fake' online conduct	msnbc.com	Fri May 16	28

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Experts Say MySpace Suicide Indictment Sets 'Scary' Legal Precedent

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