Re:The Legislation That Could Kill Internet Privacy for Good
by jonnathanson on Tuesday August 02, 2011 @03:23PM
(#2838373)
Whether she realized it or not, she became the initial vector for distribution of child pornography the second she shared the photos online. So there is a semi-reasonable argument to be made that she caused some degree of social harm in distributing the photos. I'm not sure which side of the fence I fall on, but at least I could entertain the argument with a straight face.
The exploitation charge, on the other hand, was patently ludicrous.
Re:The Legislation That Could Kill Internet Privacy for Good
by JulianMorrison on Tuesday August 02, 2011 @03:41PM
(#2838431)
The social harm of distributing photos is that a minor was harmed.
Jailing a minor is harm!
What utter idiocy.
Re:The Legislation That Could Kill Internet Privacy for Good
by bennysaurus on Tuesday August 02, 2011 @08:28PM
(#2839276)
> So there is a semi-reasonable argument to be made that she caused some degree of social harm in distributing the photos.
Entertaining that argument, the harm though would be to herself. Why should she be essentially doubly punished with membership to the sex offender's list and a criminal record?
I'm not sure how. The intent (as I understand it) is to protect minors from predators and exploitation, not to give them a criminal record for their own actions - consider that the perpetrator and supposed victim are one and the same in this case. Had they charged others who viewed/shared the photos in the chatrooms, that would be understandable, even if they're minors themselves.