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Why Do Hackers Get Such Crazy Punishments? - CFAA Needs Reform

3,684 views · Published 22 March 2013 · 3:24 · Indexed 22 September 2026

Channel: NerdAlert · 2013 · News & Politics

Andrew Aurenheimer, better known as "Weez" found a huge security hole in AT&T's servers, that would allow anyone to access emails of customers who use iPads. For his afforts, he received 3.5 years in prison and close to a $73,000 fine payable to AT&T. Is what he did- exposing a glaring problem by utilizing it and showing the press- really deserving of such a harsh sentence? Yes, he has a history of being a troll and a jerk, but does he deserve his sentence?

This comes down to the harsh sentences given to hackers, or network intruders (basically anyone in defiance of the CFAA). These sentences are too much, and blind to logic- is there not a difference between malicious intent and more or less benign intent? Should we be laying down such harsh precedents? Will this scare off "white hat" hackers who could help national interests?

Did we really learn nothing from Aaron Swartz's case, his egregious punishment, and untimely death?

Please check out the EFF for more on the CFAA, Aaron's Law, and reform:
https://www.eff.org/issues/cfaa

Do you agree or disagree with the court's findings (and my own opinions)? Is it possible to reform the CFAA, and what will happen if nothing changes? Please comment, and I would love it if you could like and subscribe.

-Kim

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Kim Horcher: https://twitter.com/kimscorcher

These reports were used to compile this story. They're excellent pieces, please give them a read:

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130318/23033422370/expose-blatant-security-hole-ats-servers-get-35-years-jail.shtml

http://pandodaily.com/2013/01/17/its-a-bad-time-to-be-a-hacker-in-the-united-states/