In his article, Andriy Slynchuk gives a list of eleven online activities that turn out to be illegal and explains the possible consequences for such actions, with tips on how one can stay safe online. Why the internet needs laws and regulations is simply because it is an integral part of our lives. According to Slynchuk, some activities that might appear as innocuous could actually be illegal—with heavy punishments meted out in the courts.

Slynchuk puts forward one of the major talking points, such as unofficial streaming services. Most people, unknowingly, reach pirate content and believe it is a crime without victims. Actually, this is copyright infringement, which may be followed by a lawsuit. Torrent services also give access to pirated materials, which is unfair to the creator and unlawful. This type of activity is not only unethical; it is risky because the mentioned websites can sell personal data.

Another illegal activity highlighted is the use of copyright pictures without permission. In fact, this is a notion held by most internet users: pictures viewed over the internet are free and can be used anywhere. Unless the images are in the public domain, they belong to somebody, and using the same without seeking permission is an infringement on copyright laws. This is especially important for individuals and businesses who might inadvertently use such images for commercial purposes.

Slynchuk also informs about the issue related to sharing other people’s passwords, addresses, or photos without permission. It is illegal to post someone’s info on the Internet without knowledge, especially when there is the meaning of malice intended with it. It involves taking photos of people on private property and then posting them online. While public areas give some leniency, it is always more respectful to ask permission first.

Other critical issues that are discussed are related to cyberbullying and trolling. Although this happens quite frequently, the impact of such behavior is pretty serious legally. Most of the platforms now take strict action against such behaviors, and depending on the severity, it can be either a civil or criminal case. This paper therefore creates awareness as to how individuals need to be respectful and only conduct themselves within the bounds of the law while posting on the Internet.

These include VoIP calls being recorded without consent. It does not matter whether it is personal or business, but recording the conversation without the other party knowing is against privacy laws. These are scenarios that require prior consent to avoid potential legal issues.

Identity fraud is one of the most critical offenses, where the identity information is misrepresented to mislead or deceive. This can be as simple as lying about one’s age on a social networking site, which is very dangerous, especially to minors who might receive inappropriate material.

Another very common illegal activity is using another person’s internet network without their permission. This is a form of theft, and in certain ways, it might also put the user at risk. Many people are not even aware that such an act could land them in legal trouble.

Information about children below 13 may not be collected without parental consent; this is in violation of the Children’s Online Protection Act, including data from surveys. Protection of the privacy of children while using the Internet is very essential. Any violation of these rules may amount to a serious violation of law.

Extracting audio from a YouTube video without permission is an infringement of copyright. It clearly stands forbidden in YouTube’s terms of service. Hence, violation of these stipulations opens up the violator to legal action.

Lastly, Slynchuk writes about the legality behind some Google searches. It might sound a bit improbable, but some search terms can be illegal and monitored by authorities. Searching for illegal content, like child pornography or searching for how a person can commit crimes, can thus bring serious legal problems.

He also shares some protective steps an individual can take to avoid these legal pitfalls. Some of the measures are reducing information available online, password strengths, private browsing, and usage of Virtual Private Networks. The practices would ensure the privacy and security of the online user against legal issues and cyber threats.

At the very least, Slynchuk’s article provides a serious message: all sorts of everyday activities on the Internet can be unlawful and may potentially bring detrimental effects. Still, by being aware of such dangers and taking due care, it is possible to safeguard oneself against the commission of illegal acts inadvertently through the Internet. These devices are powerful tools; their responsible usage can lead only to good results if they remain within the precincts of the law.

Reference

11 Illegal Things You Unknowingly Do on the Internet. (n.d.). https://clario.co/blog/illegal-things-you-do-online/