Q: Can you post documents marked confidential if you find them online unsecured?
The documents are part of an investigation of a triple homicide that is already solved... The documents were part of a PI's file.
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A:
It is generally not legal to publish or distribute confidential documents that you find online without permission from the owner of the documents. Even if the documents were unsecured and accessible online, they may still be protected by laws governing intellectual property, privacy, or confidentiality.
In the specific case you described, the documents appear to be part of an investigation of a triple homicide, which likely involves sensitive and confidential information. Even if the investigation is already solved, the disclosure of confidential information could have negative consequences, such as jeopardizing the privacy or safety of individuals involved in the investigation or compromising the integrity of the legal system.
Additionally, it is possible that publishing or distributing the confidential documents could result in legal consequences, such as civil liability for invasion of privacy or intellectual property infringement, or even criminal charges for theft or disclosure of confidential information.
Therefore, it is recommended that you do not publish or distribute the confidential documents without permission from the owner of the documents, even if they were found online unsecured. If you have concerns about the contents of the documents, you may wish to consult with a licensed attorney who can advise you on the appropriate legal and ethical course of action.
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