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From: P
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 8:15 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Hacking
Dear Professor Block
What, as an anarchist, is the proper way to view breaking in to computer systems, i.e. hacking? Plenty of examples can be mentioned, but one example is the case of several celebrities that have had nude photos distributed online after a hacker broke into their Apple iCloud accounts. Perhaps the question should be broken up: gaining access to a system by hacking is different than doing so and distributing sensitive material in extension. Using the non-aggression principle I could interpret it two ways. If we view digital content as property, then it must clearly be seen as a violation of property rights. If we do not view digital content as property, then no violation has happened. Thanks, P
Dear P: I view digital content as property. Hacking, is then akin to trespassing. Distributing to others the fruits of the hack (electronic nude photos), would be similar to breaking into someone’s house, stealing their physical nude photos, and sending them to others. These seem like real crimes to me.
5:43 pm on February 14, 2018
