Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy • Hacker News Board

Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#31

Post by heavyset_go » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:16 AM UTC

emodendroket wrote: post #3

RecycledEle wrote: post #2

New York Attorney General James Secures $615,000 from Companies that Supplied Fake Comments to Influence FCC’s Repeal of Net Neutrality Rules

All told that doesn't seem like that much of a deterrent. I have to imagine the rule change was worth more than that to them.

I'm no advocate of the CCP, but China has seized assets from, imprisoned, exiled and executed white collar criminals that committed fraud, engaged in corruption, etc. Risking your assets, freedom and life might make brazen fraud less enticing.

Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#32

Post by whitemary » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:17 AM UTC

ummonk wrote: post #6

"An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that the fake comments used the identities of millions of consumers, including thousands of New Yorkers, without their knowledge or consent." $615k seems like a slap on the wrist for what they did.

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Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#33

Post by whitemary » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:18 AM UTC

frob wrote: post #30

$615 million dollars seems like chump change for 9 million counts of identity fraud. I recently read a story where the local DA in Portland charged a homeless man for identity theft for stealing a wallet. He hadn't tried to represent himself as the other person; he literally just had the wallet and ID. Yet again, turns out it's OK if you're a corporation.

Well, those are the rules. That's how capitalism works.

Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#34

Post by kaveet » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:18 AM UTC

frob wrote: post #30

$615 million dollars seems like chump change for 9 million counts of identity fraud. I recently read a story where the local DA in Portland charged a homeless man for identity theft for stealing a wallet. He hadn't tried to represent himself as the other person; he literally just had the wallet and ID. Yet again, turns out it's OK if you're a corporation.

The fine was $615 thousand, not $615 million. Although I might agree with your original statement too.

Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#35

Post by whitemary » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:19 AM UTC

sva_ wrote: post #11

This kind of shit is one of the reasons why people stop believing in western democracy.

"Stop" should be past tense and you forgot the quotation marks around "democracy"

Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#36

Post by frob » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:19 AM UTC

mherdeg wrote: post #7

Has Ajit Pai commented on this?

He hasn't heard about this. His ears are clogged full of private equity funds.

Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#37

Post by astrange » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:20 AM UTC

koboll wrote: post #5

They got fined $600k, the telecoms saved billions Pretty good deal if you ask me

Those two things aren't related. This was during a Republican FCC adminstration and Ajit Pai would've repealed net neutrality even if every comment was for it. He doesn't care what public comments say nor does he need to.

That not mattering was then canceled out by another not mattering, because California passed the same rules so they effectively apply to everyone anyway.

Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#38

Post by habitue » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:20 AM UTC

heavyset_go wrote: post #24

habitue wrote: post #9

It says "the nation's largest broadband companies" but doesn't say which ones. Does anyone have more context here?

I remember a case from a few years ago where Comcast/Xfinity did exactly this, using other people's identities to flood legislators with letters when there were hearings for public comments on legislation that would impact the company. I think it was during hearings on net neutrality bills. It's a great way to drown out the public's actual comments and drum up fake support.

tbh, this sounds like Comcast, but I didn't want to assume

Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#39

Post by astrange » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:21 AM UTC

sva_ wrote: post #11

This kind of shit is one of the reasons why people stop believing in western democracy.

Public comments aren't votes so they aren't part of democracy. Influencing an unelected official like the FCC chair who gets to rule however he wants isn't democracy.

Re: Three Companies Impersonated Millions to Influence Internet Policy

#40

Post by clnq » Sun, May 14, 2023, 2:23 AM UTC

whitemary wrote: post #32

ummonk wrote: post #6

"An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that the fake comments used the identities of millions of consumers, including thousands of New Yorkers, without their knowledge or consent." $615k seems like a slap on the wrist for what they did.

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