Saturday, February 7, 2004
Open WiFi ethics
The NYTimes's Ethicist tackles the question of using open WiFi nodes you discover. I like his conclusion (it's pretty much OK), but disagree with some of his implicit assumptions -- that all ISPs ban running open WiFi (they don't), and that most people don't know they're sharing (lots do).
The person who opened up access to you is unlikely even to know, let alone mind, that you've used it. If he does object, there's easy recourse: nearly all wireless setups offer password protection. And while the failure to lock a door may indicate carelessness, not consent, in this case it does suggest indifference. Godwin does warn of the tragedy of the commons, however, which here means you have an obligation not to use too much bandwidth -- by downloading massive music files, for example, which would inconvenience other users.Link (via WiFiNetNews)
posted by Cory Doctorow at 08:23:26 PM permalink | Other blogs' comments
