Aaron Swartz was prosecuted for scraping, while Meta does it without consequence

Re:Aaron Swartz was prosecuted for scraping, while Meta does... by AnthonyMouse on Thursday August 20, 2026 @07:27PM (#49381671)

The trouble with lawyers is that their quality varies tremendously but the client has very little ability to tell the difference until after it's too late.

In theory this is why they have to be licensed but in practice that consistently leads to the profession capturing the licensing board and using it for protecting the providers rather than the customers.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Aaron Swartz was prosecuted for scraping, while Meta does... by qingcharles on Thursday August 20, 2026 @07:37PM (#49381768)

Whoever can create an objective way to determine the quality of legal representation is onto a real winner.

I find it near impossible, even as someone with a lot of legal knowledge, to tell whether a lawyer I hire is going to advocate zealously and correctly and comprehensively on my part once I hand over my retainer. They all talk a great game.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Aaron Swartz was prosecuted for scraping, while Meta does... by marysol5 on Friday August 21, 2026 @06:32AM (#49386150)

Here in the UK we have "Duty Solicitors", who are on-call in the police station should you need them.

Problem is, the pay out from the government for their services is atrocious, so not many are willing to go onto the list. And the ones who are, aren't the good ones.

[ Parent | on HN ]