CYBER Vigilantism
Ethical and Policy issues
By Vivian Hare, Jonathan Lu, Sherman Leung, and David Eng
What is Vigilantism?
Vigilantism is the act of taking the law into one’s own hands.
HIstory of vigilantism
What sort of cyber vigilantic acts have occurred?
Anonymous
Variety
- Counter-terrorism
- Anti-pedophile
- Anti-Identity Theft
- Political Activism
- For Profit
Doxing, Civilian Surveillance, and Cyber Bullying
Harassment, and Perpetuation of a Surveillance Culture
PYCON DONGLE
INCIDENT
Sichuan Earthquake
Boston Marathon Bombing
Doxing and surveillance
- Potential for far reaching/immediate impact in law enforcement
- However, creates an unhealthy, misinformed surveillance culture
ETHICS
An ambiguous moral space
Classical Utilitarianism
- Utility maximization = moral
- But can this be measured?
Utility?
Deontological Perspective
- Based on the Categorical Imperative
- Agnostic of Consequences
- Looking at intent
4 Deontological principles
- The state has enacted good laws but is failing to enforce them
- The state has failed to enact certain good laws
- The state has enacted evil laws.
- The state has enacted good laws and is enforcing them.
When might one engage in vigilantism?
4 Deontological principles
- The state has enacted good laws but is failing to enforce them
- The state has failed to enact certain good laws
- The state has enacted evil laws.
- The state has enacted good laws and is enforcing them.
When might one engage in vigilantism?
4 Deontological principles
- The state has enacted good laws but is failing to enforce them
- The state has failed to enact certain good laws
- The state has enacted evil laws.
- The state has enacted good laws and is enforcing them.
When might one engage in vigilantism?
4 Deontological principles
- The state has enacted good laws but is failing to enforce them
- The state has failed to enact certain good laws
- The state has enacted evil laws.
- The state has enacted good laws and is enforcing them.
When might one engage in vigilantism?
4 Deontological principles
- The state has enacted good laws but is failing to enforce them
- The state has failed to enact certain good laws
- The state has enacted evil laws.
- The state has enacted good laws and is enforcing them.
When might one engage in vigilantism?
POLICY
Cyber-bullying and harassment
Montana
explicit legislation
44%
criminal sanctions
28%
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)
10 years
cfaa
18 US Code § 1030
aaron's law
Legitimizing Vigilantism
Alliances between Police and Cyber-vigilantes