Innovation or Exploitation? The Limits of Computer Trespass Law

What this episode covers

Have you ever borrowed a smartphone without asking? Modified a URL? Scraped a website? Called an undocumented API? Congratulations: you might have violated federal law! A 1986 statute, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), provides both civil and criminal remedies for mere "unauthorized" access to a computer. This event aimed to provide a geek perspective on the CFAA. Leading researchers, tinkerers, and entrepreneurs explained the broad reach of computer trespass law and their first-hand experience with its chilling effects. All agree that serious intrusions warrant a remedy. But how can the law better distinguish between innovation and exploitation? Speakers: Dan Auerbach, Electronic Frontier Foundation Ed Felten, Princeton University Jennifer Granick, Stanford University Brewster Kahle, Internet Archive Jonathan Mayer, Stanford University Alex Stamos, Artemis Internet