To request a presentation, please fill out this form.
Event Information:
Megan Meier Federal Cyberbullying Case Decided Today
Well, as you've probably heard by now, the federal jury in California found Lori Drew guilty of computer fraud (and violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act) but not guilty of felony charges of unauthorized computer access to inflict emotional distress on Megan Meier. She faces up to one year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines for each of the three misdemeanors. My feeling is that she'll be placed on probation, as the fact that she has a family and is a mother would serve as a mitigating factor in sentencing decisions. The pundits are going to say that the decision opens up huge concerns for anyone who registers and uses an online account (on a social networking site or anything else) because that violation of a site's Terms of Use can lead to a similar fate. I don't agree - I don't think this case will be used as precedent towards those ends. Rather, I believe the jury made their decision based on the fact that intentional psychological harm was inflicted by Drew (and her accomplices) on Megan, but could not hang their hats on a law that prohibits such an act (because none exists). Therefore, they hung their hats on the violation of MySpace's Terms of Service and, accordingly, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. I am very interested to hear your thoughts related to the case and its short- and long-term implications.
