Live data from Hacker News

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

ftc.gov

111–120 of 175 posts

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

#111
post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unfortunately, privacy.com is only available in the US. I had been looking for an alternative for quite some time, but recently I stumbled onto the fact that Wise (formerly TrasferWise) will give you a seemingly unlimited amount of virtual cards if you open an account with them. As far as I can tell this isn't documented on their website, but I can definitely get new cards on demand and disable them as necessary. In…

I believe Wise has a limit of upto 3 virtual cards. Are you able create more? source: https://www.kasareviews.com/wise-debit-card-review-pros-cons

I have three now and the UI to create more is still available. It's possible that clicking on it would fail (I don't want to needlessly waste card numbers), but I have definitely verified that replacing card details works: there is a button that lets you invalidate an existing card and create a new one.

In that sense it may be limited in the amount of cards you can have at once, but unlimited in the number of card details you could go through.

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

#112
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if a general purpose legal framework of applying the same punishment to different types of entities is possible. That way most laws could be worded in a way that applies to private individuals and all types of companies the same way, but then the actual punishment would be applied differently. Specifically, when a company breaks the law, the legal framework would explain the way the responsibility should be…

I am frustrated that we continue to have the death penalty for individuals that commit heinous crimes, but we do not have the death penalty for corporations. I feel like when you manage to harm a billion people at a time, the penalty should be that your company is dissolved, it's assets auctioned off, and the trademarks and domains blackholed. And then, since I don't support the death penalty for individuals, the C-l…

[deleted]

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

#113
post #110

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…

Corporations are people!* * until a crime is committed

Everyone should get a corporation at birth, and all actions done by that individual should be done for that corporation. Maybe things would change then.

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

#114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

IANAL, but it seems like the AG is still well within their power to press charges and consumers are still free to pursue class action.

What damages could customers seek? Presumably not much more than the cost of the service, which was only around $20/month.

I don't know - I've been part of class actions where the settlement was much, much higher than than the cost to me. So I think it depends.

Hard to see that working here with a completely bankrupt company.

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

#115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So if I were to own 1 share of $AMZN, I’d be criminally liable for anything the corporation does? Would I do 10 minutes in jail or something?

I used to argue for exactly this. The thing is that people would only invest in companies with executives they personally trust. Which may be a good thing overall, but would be a big problem in the short term. I definitely think board members and Top executives should be held criminally liable for the actions of the company. Unless they can prove it was a specific bad actor, and that their policies didn't encourage i…

> maybe even RICO charges

Paging @Popehat...

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

#116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AMC and Cinemark would have negotiated if the moat was properly fortified is my thesis. They didn't have enough runway to determine the feasibility. Anyone could've looked at MoviePass' public filings and determined they would be no problem to AMC. What if Uber and Lyft didn't subsidize ridesharing for years? Yellow cab service would still be the market leader today.

> What if Uber and Lyft didn't subsidize ridesharing for years? That is different. Uber and Lyft were paying drivers to drive. MoviePass was giving people basically free tickets, but paying FULL FARE at AMC and Cinemark. AMC and Cinemark have no reason to negotiate because what would happen if MoviePass stopped giving away tickets to AMC and Cinemark? Users would leave MoviePass and continue going to AMC and Cinemark…

Not at nearly the same volume.

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

#117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So if I were to own 1 share of $AMZN, I’d be criminally liable for anything the corporation does? Would I do 10 minutes in jail or something?

That actually seems like a great idea. Not 10 minutes of jail time, but some form of liability. If orgs are incentivized to increase shareholder value, and those shareholders face no liability for wrongdoing done to increase their assets worth, then the incentives are out of whack. I don't know what kinds of liability makes sense, but some form seems like a great idea. If you own one share of amazon, and it gets some…

Make it actual jail time, and for the company itself.

No monetary flow, no work being done, no contracts honored, restricted and slow (if any) access to assets, etc.

Would it be traumatic? For sure. Potentially "life-ruining" for the company and the people close to it? Sure. Just like jail and prison are for regular people.

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

#119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to argue for exactly this. The thing is that people would only invest in companies with executives they personally trust. Which may be a good thing overall, but would be a big problem in the short term. I definitely think board members and Top executives should be held criminally liable for the actions of the company. Unless they can prove it was a specific bad actor, and that their policies didn't encourage i…

"Unless they can prove it was a specific bad actor" That's the opposite of the entire basis of the US criminal justice system. Innocent until proven guilty. You need to prove it was them. Not have them prove it was another bad actor.

No, it's not. There are affirmative defenses: things that can excuse you from criminal liability if you prove a certain set of facts.

For instance, self defense is generally an affirmative defense: something that the defense must prove to avoid conviction, instead of something the prosecution must disprove.

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

#120
post #85
post #66

I owe a debt of gratitude to MoviePass. Their shenanigans led me to learn about virtual credit cards (privacy.com in my case). I'll never be surprise billed by a subscription service again.

Unfortunately, privacy.com is only available in the US. I had been looking for an alternative for quite some time, but recently I stumbled onto the fact that Wise (formerly TrasferWise) will give you a seemingly unlimited amount of virtual cards if you open an account with them. As far as I can tell this isn't documented on their website, but I can definitely get new cards on demand and disable them as necessary. In…

[deleted]
Post reply on HN