Government

Could You Be Prosecuted for Lying About Your Weight on Dating Sites?

Don’t want information to be associated with your real name? Don’t want to tell people on Match.com how much you really weigh? There’s a simple solution for situations like these that many on the Internet have been doing since its inception: lying.

But did you know this could violate the website’s terms of use? Have you even read the terms of use for websites you frequent?

You may want to start, as the Department of Justice is pushing for lying on the Internet to be a prosecutable crime — if it violates the terms and conditions of websites where the lie takes place . CNET has more:

The law must allow “prosecutions based upon a violation of terms of service or similar contractual agreement with an employer or provider,” Richard Downing, the Justice Department’s deputy computer crime chief, will tell the U.S. Congress [today].

Scaling back that law “would make it difficult or impossible to deter and address serious insider threats through prosecution,” and jeopardize prosecutions involving identity theft, misuse of government databases, and privacy invasions, according to Downing.

CNET describes how the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act had been used by the Justice Department to convict Lori Drew in 2008 for using a fake name on MySpace to harass a 13-year-old girl who then ended up committing suicide. The conviction was later dismissed:

What makes this possible is a section of the CFAA that was never intended to be used that way: a general-purpose prohibition on any computer-based act that “exceeds authorized access.” To the Justice Department, this means that a website‘s terms of service define what’s “authorized” or not, and ignoring them can turn you into a felon.

According to Wired, the CFAA was meant to be an anti-hacking law:

When the legislation was first enacted in the 1980s, it specifically targeted computer hacking and other computer misuse, Kerr argues in a written version of the testimony (.pdf) he plans to give. But since then, Congress has broadened the statute significantly four times, expanding the law’s reach and rendering it “unconstitutionally vague.”

The law as it currently stands allows prosecutors to criminally prosecute users for violating an internet service provider’s terms of service agreement, something that would normally be a breach of contract issue handled in civil court rather than through criminal prosecution.

CNET reports that the Justice Department not only seeks to enforce terms of use but to expand the reach of the CFAA, and that many groups including ACLU, Americans for Tax Reform, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and FreedomWorks this as a “gross misuse of the law.”

Comments (73)

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  • bullcrapbuster
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:10pm

    So If I write that Capitalism is good a liberal judge could get me for lying?

    Report Post » bullcrapbuster  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 11:25pm

      99.9% of women are against any penalties for lying about weight…or age.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • kindling
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 1:11am

      Some sites ask if your weight is thin, average, or plump. Well, I look around and 200 lbs is average for someone my age so I would be able to say below average even though I am overweight and not be lying. For years I have told people I am older than I really am because I am treated better and told how wonderful I look. Works for me!

      Report Post » kindling  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 9:11pm

    Who cares?

    Report Post »  
  • AyaTolla U
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:58pm

    Honest, Judge. I did weigh 105lbs when I filled out the profile. All I did was eat a few pizzas, and now I weigh 120lbs. Do I really have to stand on that scale and weigh in?

    Report Post » AyaTolla U  
  • christelle
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:23pm

    I do not understand the point behind lying on a dating site. I met my husband online, he posts here at times…AFPATRIOT, We did not meet on a dating site per se…but there did come the point of conversation where we discussed appearances. I am not thin, in fact, I am gearing up for weight loss surgery at this point in my life. I was honest with him. And by the time we met face to face I was TERRIFIED that he would take one look at me and turn around and drive back home. And if I had mis-represented myself, he may very well have, As it was we did fall in love and he is my soul-mate, we have our happy ending, but it was NOT started on a lie

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:10pm

      wow you and your husbands story is fantastic! congrats!

      Report Post »  
    • Ssenkrad
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:04am

      Congratulations! The fact of the matter is, good relationships are honest relationships, and I’m glad you guys were honest with each other. Honesty is the best policy. Just wish our politicians followed that philosophy as you do.

      Report Post » Ssenkrad  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:24pm

    Really. I actually do look like Garfield in a turkey suit.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
    • motonutt
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:08pm

      This happend to me years ago when I was single…..I met this gal on line @ match.com, she told me she worked out and was in great shape yada, yada, yada……when I went to go pick her up I was pissed, she was about 5′ 2″ and must have went at least 250lbs. I still took her out hoping that no one I knew would see me out with her. She wolfed down a full steak dinner in about 5 mins., I’m not kidding. I couldn’t wait to get her back to her door. Then she wanted to have sex, I said thanks but no thanks….bye.

      Report Post » motonutt  
    • Ssenkrad
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:05am

      Moto, you missed out on a whole lotta woman.

      Report Post » Ssenkrad  
    • ozchambers
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:47am

      Rofl!

      Report Post » ozchambers  
  • momsense
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:01pm

    If you want someone who looks like a walking corpse–say that.

    Report Post »  
  • BloodSweatandTears
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:55pm

    In the past the libs destroyed the economy, unbridled socialism. Then the conservatives limited your civil liberties, Patriot Act. Now it doesn’t seem to matter which party is in, in the race to enslave us.

    Report Post »  
    • Ssenkrad
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:06am

      Agreed. The madness really needs to stop. But, knowing the world we live in and it’s history, the madness will never stop. Why? Because madness IS our history.

      Report Post » Ssenkrad  
  • YepImaConservative
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:53pm

    What it really means: Just for the guys….

    40-ish = 49, maybe early fifties
    Adventurous = Slept with almost everyone
    Athletic = No boobs
    Average looking = Ugly, can only be loved by mommy
    Beautiful = Pathological liar, airhead
    Contagious Smile = Does a lot of pills
    Emotionally Secure = On medication
    Feminist = Fat, hates men
    Free Spirit = Junkie
    Friendship first = Former very “friendly” person
    Fun = Annoying
    New Age = Body hair in the wrong places
    Open Minded = Desperate
    Outgoing = Loud and Embarrassing
    Passionate = Sloppy Drunk
    Professional = Biatch
    Voluptuous = Very Fat
    Large Frame = Hugely Fat
    Needs soul mate = Stalker

    Just a joke, lol.

    Report Post » YepImaConservative  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:12pm

      Hilarious!

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • booger71
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:14pm

      Not really, sounds pretty accurate.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:15pm

      this makes me laugh. I am so blessed to be married I feel for anyone stuck looking on these sites. I am sure they are oozing with crazy. I do know several people who it worked for though

      Report Post »  
    • Shakira Law
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:33pm

      You sound interesting. Do you like hot blond latina’s – (white overweight mother of three)?

      Report Post » Shakira Law  
    • circleDwagons
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 2:01pm

      your best post. good job finally

      Report Post » circleDwagons  
  • dudeman4
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:50pm

    So it‘s not okay to say on a website that I live in Detroit when I don’t? Um….

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:48pm

    One more move by the progressives.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • NC
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:42pm

    I met the soon to be Mrs. NC on Match.com almost seven years ago. I used an alias much like I use an alias on TheBlaze.

    NC (not my real name)

    Report Post » NC  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:49pm

      Here is something to consider though, if this is pushed to a logical ending, even the usage of a screen name like here at the Blaze could be prosecuted on the grounds of lying and concealment of ones true identity — even if it is a pen name or such. There is a real danger here people.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • brntout
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:01pm

      @SNOWLEOPARD There is that little profile that may be the saving grace.You could be granted plausible deniability.

      Report Post »  
    • Dougral Supports Israel
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:32pm

      @SNOWLEOPARD I don’t think we are there yet. Its acceptable here at the Blaze to use screen names so we are not “exceeding authorized access”. Its also not illegal to use pseudonyms as long as you are not doing so to defraud anyone.

      Report Post »  
  • Secessionista
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:42pm

    Good. When a politician posts a tweet we can finally prosecute them, lol!

    Report Post » Secessionista  
  • knighttemplar999
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:32pm

    I don‘t think I’ve ever read the terms of use. Likewise the stuff you have to agree to when using any software. I don’t have the attention span to sift through that crap. Besides it’s purposely written to confuse you. There was a very interesting article years ago on banks deceptive credit card deals. The CEO admitted that yeah we make it confusing to reel in more suckers.

    Report Post »  
  • ZAP
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:26pm

    When will the Department of Justice be PROSECUTED for their lying about Fast and Furious. Which is more important, someones weight or murdering border guards?

    Report Post » ZAP  
  • grayling646
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:24pm

    Is the government saying it’s not OK to lie? Talk about throwing stones in glass houses.

    Report Post »  
  • 13axes
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:23pm

    it’s a blatent power grab in order to shut down conservative web sites.

    Report Post » 13axes  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:58pm

      It is more than that, taken to another step or two, anyone who posts anything under a pseudoname, an pen name, or even conceivably a nickname could be prosecuted for lying about the real information to be provided — and what happens say you enter the real weight you were when joining a sight, gradually lost weight and when down a few pounds (lets say five), you could in theory be set up for prosecution if you do not weight exactly as described in the initial entry.

      If you have an ambitioous enough DA or Assistant DA’s out for revenge, for points or for the heck of it, then there will be royal grade AAA trouble.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:52pm

      fact is it is not a crime to lie, unless it is to an officer of the law or a judge. So yeah, this is a violation of our rights. The country is sure teetering on the brink of dissolution. Un-united we stand.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • brntout
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:53pm

      @ SNOWLEOPARD At least AAA offers a tow and roadside assistance.

      Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:21pm

    Uh oh….
    My facebook photo is 41 years old.
    And I allegedly live in Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan, Northern Territories.
    But I was independently wealthy till I had to have new plumbing last month.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • David
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:20pm

    It’s never wrong to like, but the main problem with lying on a dating site is, of course, if you actually plan on ever actually meeting anyone, it’s not a good idea. If you tell anyone you are 170 #s, and you are really 250#s, well, I think they will be in for quite a shock later. And the idea you can just somehow explain it away, like you have just been eating a lot the last few months, I don’t think will be too convincing.

    So, it really goes to character. I mean, if you are some sexual predator, of course, it might be a good idea to lie. I mean, most 16 year old teenage girls if you tell them you are a fat old 56 year old man may not be so intested in chatting with you than if you are a very cute 17 year old boy, and you have cute pictures to go along with that. However, spending much tiome in jail because of it may be something to think of, not to mention the gross immorality of it. But, besides that, if you are one of the more sane, normally part of society, again, lying about such things is somewhat shortsighted, kind of like a woman wearing a low cut shirt w/ a push up bra to attract a guy, as if after they ever have a solid relationship the guy who’s attracted to this at first is going to be a quality guy, or when he finds out that her body really isn’t “all of that,” or maybe some other girls are better, after the clothes are off. it’s a bit silly. i feel it makes more sense to tell the truth, not because of fear of litigation. what if someone made a typ

    Report Post » David  
    • christelle
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:19pm

      That’s my impression too. It’s STUPID to lie on a dating site when supposedly you are there to meet someone face to face.

      Report Post »  
    • Ssenkrad
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:11am

      I agree with both of you. If you’re fat, anorexic, or an extreme dork, just say so. You might not get as many people interested in you, but at least I know you’re honest. And, hell, maybe you’ll get lucky and find other people just like you, or at least someone who knows an honest person is a good person.

      Report Post » Ssenkrad  
  • Rowgue
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:15pm

    Breaking the terms of service is already an actionable offense. But it’s only actionable to the point of being disallowed from using the service in question. This is a non story.

    Report Post »  
  • copatriots
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:03pm

    The justice department is A-OK fine with someone when someone fraudulently represents they served in the military. Heck, Lefties lie practically every time they open their mouths. But, awwww, how sweet, they are trying to prevent people from misrepresenting themselves on dating sites. Aren’t Libs considerate?

    What a neat little hat trick as they try to use that pretense as a means to control what is said on blogs….wait, maybe like this one? Or….maybe they want to prosecute the overweight folks and punish them by putting them on Michelle’s diet plans.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:09pm

      If they want to prosecute lying .. they need to START in Washington D.C. I doubt they could find many within government who would not be in BIG TROUBLE!

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
  • tnturner
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:02pm

    There’s a simple solution. Don’t go there.

    Report Post » tnturner  
  • PoliticalJunkieToo
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 5:58pm

    Once the feds get their grubby hands on a law, they expand it beyond what it was meant to do.

    Prosecuting for lying about your weight on a dating site is like using the commerce clause to justify ObamaCare and a slew of other bogus laws enacted by the feds against the states.

    Report Post »  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 5:52pm

    I remember in the days of a text-only internet when dating sites were nothing more than swiping emails and irc chats. It was touted as “getting to know someone through personal correspondence, rather than through looks, etc.”

    Now it’s all fake pics, doctored pics, lying, chats are nothing but houses of spam…I say just go back to the singles’ bar.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 5:51pm

    How About Politicians that lie about their accomplishments and past Affiliates? Dang! You put Obama Care into a search engine and the first thing that come up is something telling you it is great. Mentions nothing about Being Communism,Killing Babies, and free for Mexicans.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • NOBAMA201258
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 5:38pm

    What about people that post old photos or lie about their financial situation?

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:06pm

      I would wager that most “profiles” contain at LEAST one lie … probably more .. buyer beware!

      Report Post »  
    • David
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:10pm

      How is posting an old photo a LIE unless there are TERMS that stipulate how current photos have to be. Normally with any sites that post photos, such as facebook, myspace, etc., not just dating sites, the site checks first to see if the photo is acceptable as for the “terms.” So, even if someone wanted to post a photo against the terms of the site, such as nudity (or in that direction, inappropriate dress or gestures), or pictures of other people not themselves, or maybe anyone wanting simply to post a picture that isn’t of anyone (the last several things would not be against the terms of nondating sites like fb or ms), the site would not accept or post the picture.

      As for how a site would know a person’s picture was their own or not, this would be the same as how a site would know how old someone really was when they put their birthdate. I don‘t believe it’s this article’s point to point out the evils of lying on dating sites! To me, the thing that is most wrong about it is what happens later, not so much when the person is doing it, though, of course, it is wrong to lie about anything, even telling a woman she “looks nice tonight” if she doesn’t necessarily, just to be nice. :-) Don’t get me wrong, i don’t lie. And I am one to tell a woman, unfortunately, in that example, what exavtly she looks like, even if she’s offended. :-) “The Simon syndrome.” I try to do it in the nicest way though. Not, “you look like 2 cats fighting tonight.”

      Report Post » David  
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