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MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

ftc.gov

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Re: MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

#21

Post by tolbish »

twinkletwinkle_ wrote: post #6
lotsofpulp wrote: post #3

The government knows the executives at MoviePass committed theft, but we will not see any criminal charges filed.

Crime is a social construct. edit: A poor person who steals is charged. A rich person who steals behind the facade of a company is not. We call the poor person a criminal. It's entirely divorced from an actual moral framework, but simply constructed. I was agreeing with the commenter I replied to.

I don't understand why you are getting downvoted. When people say they support "Law and order" they are not talking about all crime—they are not referring to fraud or market manipulation for example (white collar crime). They are referring to enforcing laws on just a certain subset of society.

Re: MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

#22

Post by rdtwo »

legitster wrote: post #13

> First, according to the FTC, MoviePass’s operators invalidated subscriber passwords while falsely claiming to have detected “suspicious activity or potential fraud” on the accounts. MoviePass's operators did this even though some of its own executives raised questions about the scheme, according to the complaint. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the only reason the FTC was able to establish intent was because…

I think that’s why folks with morals complain in writing. Folks with soft morals complain via phone call

Re: MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

#23

Post by cobrabyte »

Someone1234 wrote: post #10

If a private individual did the things set out here they'd be criminally liable. When a company executive orders employees to do these things, they're not facing any criminal complaint at all (any of them). See also Wells Fargo multiple thefts (both fraudulent accounts with fees, and literally entire homes/all possessions). It is pretty evident that many laws are constructed (e.g. CFAA) wherein there's one rule for i…

How this isn't a criminal case is beyond me. The dissenting judge is correct: if there is no monetary penalty, what's the point of the judgment?

Re: MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

#24

Post by JMTQp8lwXL »

Unpopular opinion, but MoviePass could have survived a lot longer if they had more funding. I think there could have been a real opportunity with establishing themselves the main funnel to getting consumers to physical theaters. They couldn't hold on long enough to see what could be possible with such a moat.

Re: MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

#25

Post by Chris2048 »

Someone1234 wrote: post #10

If a private individual did the things set out here they'd be criminally liable. When a company executive orders employees to do these things, they're not facing any criminal complaint at all (any of them). See also Wells Fargo multiple thefts (both fraudulent accounts with fees, and literally entire homes/all possessions). It is pretty evident that many laws are constructed (e.g. CFAA) wherein there's one rule for i…

If corps are people, maybe they should receive jail sentences as such - and then their executives & beneficial owners can carry them out based on liability. A CEO that takes full control and makes a one-man-shop would therefore be fully liable for any sentence received, and can only avoid this be sharing control.

Re: MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

#27

Post by paulpauper »

Someone1234 wrote: post #10

If a private individual did the things set out here they'd be criminally liable. When a company executive orders employees to do these things, they're not facing any criminal complaint at all (any of them). See also Wells Fargo multiple thefts (both fraudulent accounts with fees, and literally entire homes/all possessions). It is pretty evident that many laws are constructed (e.g. CFAA) wherein there's one rule for i…

This is a joke. fraud is fraud. Civil penalties are not a good deterrent

Re: MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

#28

Post by Chris2048 »

cs702 wrote: post #15

It appears the MoviePass master plan for world domination was inspired by the underpants gnomes of South Park[a]: Step 1. Charge customers $10/month for unlimited passes to movie theaters Step 2. Change passwords to prevent customers from getting their passes Step 3. ??? -- [a] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO5sxLapAts

But if that where the case, they could just recover their passwords? From the sound of the "suspicious activity" line, it seems they may have been blocked?

Also, I wonder how the corp avoided chargebacks

Re: MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

#29

Post by lotsofpulp »

judge2020 wrote: post #19
legitster wrote: post #13

> First, according to the FTC, MoviePass’s operators invalidated subscriber passwords while falsely claiming to have detected “suspicious activity or potential fraud” on the accounts. MoviePass's operators did this even though some of its own executives raised questions about the scheme, according to the complaint. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the only reason the FTC was able to establish intent was because…

Yep - i'd be surprised if even a tenth of all white-collar crime is known about.

Being able to converse in person off the record is one of the big value propositions of being in the bigger cities.

Re: MoviePass settles FTC allegations that they limited usage, exposed user data

#30

Post by granshaw »

Classic tactic, similar to insurance companies who advertise great service but throw every caveat in the book at you when you actually file a claim, such that you can’t get to use, you know, what you actually paid for…

There has to be a term for this?

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