What I would like to know is who is the genius behind letting everyone in the world know they are doing so. Doesnt that kind of defeat the purpose of going under cover?!?!

Perhaps I'm missing something, but are the Fed's gaining access to information that anyone else would not be privy to? If you make your photos or other information public, than I really don't see that this has anything to do with the patriot act. Now if Facebook is giving them access to private information than I see the point. I only read the quoted section of the article, but from that it sounded as if the Feds were not doing anything different than has been done for years with undercover cops, etc.

 

Bottom line, if you rob a bank and then post pictures of you with the money, than you deserve to be caught.

 

I agree! But some people who have their profiles or pics set to friends only, are adding these people they do not know, and there is where the undercover agents get into the profile and pics. I think it was in LA a few months ago where agents or whatever got into some gang members friends lists, and I think it was through pics and all that they were able to trace items in those pics to a robbery or burglary.

 

As long as they use it correctly and for suspected criminals, and not hacking into private info, or just gaining access anyone's profile that is not a suspect to a crime just to try to dig up something, I see no problem with it.

If you choose to "friend" them, then you are allowing them access to your information and photos. There is no foul here.

These people are putting their information on the world wide web for everyone to see. If they don't want people to see it, don't put it up.

 

What is intrusive about somebody accessing information that YOU posted for the ENTIRE INTERNET to see? Can't wait to hear this one.

 

Honestly if anyone has a problem with this they're either ignorant or just hate authority. If you're dumb enough to let someone access your info then that's your problem.

 

If you choose to "friend" them, then you are allowing them access to your information and photos. There is no foul here.

I agree with all of the above. The only people who should be concerned about this are criminals -- dumb criminals.

What is intrusive about somebody accessing information that YOU posted for the ENTIRE INTERNET to see? Can't wait to hear this one.

People pretending to be someone they're not? :idunno:

Problems of this are, per the article:

 

The Justice Department document raises a legal question about a social-media bullying case in which U.S. prosecutors charged a Missouri woman with computer fraud for creating a fake MySpace account - effectively the same activity that undercover agents are doing, although for different purposes.

 

 

"If agents violate terms of service, is that 'otherwise illegal activity'?" the document asks. It doesn't provide an answer.

 

Facebook's rules, for example, specify that users "will not provide any false personal information on Facebook, or create an account for anyone other than yourself without permission." Twitter's rules prohibit its users from sending deceptive or false information. MySpace requires that information for accounts be "truthful and accurate."

 

In the face-to-face world, agents can't impersonate a suspect's spouse, child, parent or best friend. But online, behind the guise of a social-networking account, they can.

Edited March 17, 201016 yr by Run To State

Problems of this are, per the article:

 

The Justice Department document raises a legal question about a social-media bullying case in which U.S. prosecutors charged a Missouri woman with computer fraud for creating a fake MySpace account - effectively the same activity that undercover agents are doing, although for different purposes.

 

 

"If agents violate terms of service, is that 'otherwise illegal activity'?" the document asks. It doesn't provide an answer.

 

Facebook's rules, for example, specify that users "will not provide any false personal information on Facebook, or create an account for anyone other than yourself without permission." Twitter's rules prohibit its users from sending deceptive or false information. MySpace requires that information for accounts be "truthful and accurate."

 

In the face-to-face world, agents can't impersonate a suspect's spouse, child, parent or best friend. But online, behind the guise of a social-networking account, they can.

 

You're correct that misrepresenting one's identity can cause problems, both with the social networking site and potentially with Constitutional issues.

 

But, the point remains that an FBI Agent (or whoever) could create a legitimate profile & uncover much of the same information.

People pretending to be someone they're not? :idunno:

 

So if it happened today would you feel that Serpico had violated the Patriot Act.

 

The Justice Department document raises a legal question about a social-media bullying case in which U.S. prosecutors charged a Missouri woman with computer fraud for creating a fake MySpace account - effectively the same activity that undercover agents are doing, although for different purposes.

Is that the case where the Woman harassed a young lady enough that she comitted suicide ?

Is that the case where the Woman harassed a young lady enough that she comitted suicide ?

I'm sure it is.

You're correct that misrepresenting one's identity can cause problems, both with the social networking site and potentially with Constitutional issues.

 

But, the point remains that an FBI Agent (or whoever) could create a legitimate profile & uncover much of the same information.

Legitimate ones aren't the ones to worry about. Either way, I'm not worried, I just thought it was an interesting read.

So if it happened today would you feel that Serpico had violated the Patriot Act.

You're under the impression that I'm concerned, I'm not. Just provided it for discussion and pointing out some things in the article.

Is that the case where the Woman harassed a young lady enough that she comitted suicide ?

Yes, that's the one.

Just as long as I do not get the annoying Farmville updates.

 

Brav-freaking-o!!

So those hot 20 yr old girls that want to be my friend aren't really after me? Darn it!