Well, no. I specifically pointed out that perhaps it should be criminal. I felt it worth noting not for pedantry, but because we have a fair number of readers that might wonder why nobody was being prosecuted if it is indeed a crime.

"Illegal" and "criminal" are not the same thing.

Illegal is most often, though not always, used in the context of something criminal. The ambiguity is why I commented. I thought I included enough couched language, apparently not.

... and always results in holier-than-thou ideologues trying to shut down any discussion through shaming tactics and pedantry.

What's your point?