Using Open WiFi Networks Can Get You into Trouble

A man in Sparta, Michigan was charged for using an open wireless network without a local coffee shops permission, even though they didn't seem to have a problem with it. Yet, when the cops looked into their law books, they discovered that this type of activity is a felony offense and the man could be facing 5 years in jail or a big fine.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• wifi
• wireless
• wardriving
• piggybacking
• internet
• news
• cnn
• sparta
• michigan

[u2bmetub]

FUCK THE POLICE.

[inachu]

It should only be considered unlawful if the person is using the wifi and bypassed the password protection.

[soma357]

" I had a feeling a law was being broken but i didn't know exactly what " say the overweight piggy

[mmaccoutinho]

Why is this a crime if he didn't even try to access any sensible information on the local network? He just used the router to go online, that law needs to be reviewed asap.

[SuperUSA2012]

This shit is ridiculous should not be a Crime,don't punish people Just for getting internet signal

[SuperUSA2012]

Fuck this should not be illegal , that's crazy if you still someone's credit card number or personal imformation punish some body, Just for using internet signal should not be illegal

[sd906238]

I checked into a hotel in Jackson, WY and I can not get onto the internet for the hotel that I am staying in. But I can get the internet from the hotel across the street and the hotel next door. So I am I guilty of doing something wrong? Geez! There are real criminals out there, go chase them not the hard working honest joe tax payer!

[EvolutionXEngine]

3:10 is that what you would call a Cantenna?(Police Version) 

[mcgowanm095]

So as I stated to begin with Sparta Police are fascists, If anyone ever saw the episode of The Andy Griffith Show, "Andy saves Barneys Morale" Where Barney Fife is in charge for the day because Andy has to leave town, Barney starts arresting everyone in town. and By the time Andy returns to Mayberry, chaos is reigning supreme. The problem with Sparta is there's no Andy Taylor to come back here and give us real citizens our happy ending.

[mcgowanm095]

I was mad that he tried to make me leave while my wife was in the store shopping, so I called the non emergency dispatch and tried to complain, I called anonymously because I didn't want some pissed off cop with my address the dispatcher started badgering me to get my name, address and vehicle description,I explained that I wanted to remain anonymous she started to attack me verbally and said that the officer was in the right and they don't need to explain they're motives to me. The citizen.

[mcgowanm095]

Which means she was willing to make up a charge to arrest me. I could have went to jail, fought the charges and been exonerated, but who wants to spend the weekend in jail, I was also told once that I had to leave the parking lot of a 24 hour grocery store, because I was loitering at around 12:30 a.m.. I was talking to a friend that I hadn't seen in years and that raised suspicion for the cop that pulled into the parking lot, nevermind my wife was still in the store picking up groceries...