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Texas Internet Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in White Collar Crime, Internet Law and Criminal Law for Texas on
Q: Getting extorted by individuals from a Discord server demanding money and threatening exposure.

I am being extorted by individuals I encountered in a Discord server. They claim to be working for the PIU and have demanded money through CashApp, Coinbase, and Binance. They possess Discord chat logs and threaten to expose them if I don't comply with their demands. They have given me 24... View More

Christie Dudley
Christie Dudley
answered on Jul 7, 2025

This is more likely than not to be a scam. There are several hallmarks of a scam that you have described here.

First, your relationship with them is only in an online forum. You do not know these people and they only know what you have told them about you. If you have done something...
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3 Answers | Asked in Communications Law, International Law and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: Impact of Texas bill SB20 on anime and manga due to obscenity concerns.

I am concerned about Texas bill SB20 and how it may affect personal consumption of anime and manga, such as popular series like Bleach or Naruto, given its broad definition of obscenity. Can you explain the potential impact of this bill on these forms of entertainment and what might be considered... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 27, 2025

The proposed version of SB 20 incorporates the following definition of obscenity contained within the Texas Penal Code.

"Obscene" means material or a performance that:

(A) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that taken as a whole...
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3 Answers | Asked in Communications Law, International Law and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: Impact of Texas bill SB20 on anime and manga due to obscenity concerns.

I am concerned about Texas bill SB20 and how it may affect personal consumption of anime and manga, such as popular series like Bleach or Naruto, given its broad definition of obscenity. Can you explain the potential impact of this bill on these forms of entertainment and what might be considered... View More

Jeremy Malcolm
Jeremy Malcolm
answered on May 27, 2025

There are significant political pressures, not only in Texas, to broaden the definition of obscenity and to enforce it more strictly. You are right that manga and anime collectors could be impacted. In 2009 Christopher Handley, a manga collector in Iowa, was sentenced to six months in prison over a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, White Collar Crime, Internet Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: Legal consequences for a minor admin involved in cybercrime activities.

I am a minor working as an admin at BreachForums, primarily involved in cybercrime, money laundering, and managing stolen data/accounts, though I don't personally obtain the data. I help middleman for the forum, and also manage their social media accounts and announcements. I haven't had... View More

Jeremy Malcolm
Jeremy Malcolm
answered on May 13, 2025

You could be implicated in conspiracy to commit a crime or aiding and abetting cybercrime, even if you didn't commit any hacks yourself. This could include wire fraud and money laundering crimes, or crimes under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) for trafficking in stolen credentials.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Securities Law and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: Legality of hiring for crypto trading with 30% commission online in the US.

Is it legal for a financial institution in the United States to hire a company to recruit people who buy cryptocurrency and immediately sell it for a 30% commission, with the intent of stabilizing the crypto market? This is all conducted over the internet, and I am unsure about the type of company... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 13, 2025

I strongly sense that this is a scam. Buying and then immediately selling cryptocurrency would not stabilize the crypto market especially with a 30% commission coming out of every transaction. If anything, it would disrupt the market and contribute to its volatility. The amount of the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Internet Law and Communications Law for Texas on
Q: Concerns about being tracked via phone and computer without investigation

I believe I am being tracked through my phone and computer, although I am unsure if it's being done by law enforcement. I have noticed unusual changes on my devices and in my home, such as someone seemingly knowing my activities and affecting my internet or cutting out apps. For example, my... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 25, 2025

You should hire a forensic electronics security expert to check out your phone, your computer, and your internet router. They should be able to detect if there is any sort of tracking software installed on any of your devices and remove them. They should also be able to provide you with updated... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Consumer Law, Internet Law and Landlord - Tenant for Texas on
Q: Targeted by cyberbullying and harassment for three years: seeking legal actions in Texas.

I have been targeted for cyberbullying and organized harassment over the past three years. Specific individuals and groups have been identified, and I reported this to the Houston Police Department, IC3, and my previous apartment manager. The police issued a case number but said my case isn't... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 19, 2025

You theoretically can sue those responsible if the cyberbullying, harassment, and stalking satisfy the elements of a cognizable legal theory of recovery.

These tend to be very difficult cases to prove. In addition to proving the bad acts and exactly who committed them, you should...
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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Employment Law, International Law and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: Can I sell $500,000 in cell phones for cash to an undocumented buyer?

I run a cell phone business and recently had a buyer ask to purchase $500,000 worth of cell phones in cash. The buyer is undocumented and wants the phones shipped to California. Am I allowed to proceed with this transaction, and are there any legal restrictions or reporting requirements I should be... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 6, 2025

I have a feeling that somebody wants to replicate what Mossad did to Hamas, but I don't have the answer to your legal question. This is a sufficiently odd transaction, there may not be an answer as it may implicate the laws of other nations and any advice might require knowledge of what and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: Need help with a company (in an agreement) that is charging me for e-mail addresses that I can't use (CAN-SPAM act).

I have signed an agreement with an online company (ZoomInfo) where I pay a monthly amount for a period of 24 months. The information that they provide is contact information for business individuals where I can filter for a specific targeted audience. They provide company names, individual names,... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 7, 2025

Your understanding of the CAN-SPAM Act is flawed. You actually can send out cold intro emails without prior consent, but the Act requires such emails to meet certain specified criterion. Among other things, the email must indicate that it is an advertisement and must have an... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Intellectual Property and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: Is it legal to make amateur pornography and upload it in Texas?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 20, 2024

Creating and uploading amateur pornography in Texas is generally legal, provided that all participants are consenting adults. It's crucial to ensure that everyone involved is over the age of 18 and has given explicit consent to be filmed and have the footage distributed. Failure to verify ages... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Employment Law, Internet Law and Stockbroker Fraud for Texas on
Q: Got online job, it paid with crypto but started asking for $ to make more, now will not return funds, what should I do?

Around $20k lost, have records of all communication and transactions. Have contact info for numerous employees as well, job seemed like legitimate company but may have been spoofing the real one. Was reached out to by a recruiter from legitimate website like Indeed.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. The first step you should take is to gather all your evidence, including communication records, transaction details, and the contact information of the employees you interacted with. This documentation will be crucial for any legal action or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law for Texas on
Q: Can we sue FB for a hacked account they refuse to give back to us?

On 4-20-2021 FB took my husband's account and gave it to the hacker! We have tried everything to gain access to this account..We even have the email address and IP address to the person who hacked my husband's account..We also have every email we have ever sent FB trying to regain access... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 8, 2024

I understand this is an extremely frustrating and upsetting situation. Having your Facebook account hacked and losing access to years of precious memories must be devastating. A few thoughts:

In general, it can be very difficult to sue a big tech company like Facebook. Their terms of...
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2 Answers | Asked in Internet Law, Consumer Law and Criminal Law for Texas on
Q: Can you help me? I've been scammed trying to buy a 2018 Nissan Altima for $2,500, since May 21st. I paid $2,815.

Since May 21st. I am out of $2,815, trying to purchase a 2018 Nissan Altima for $2,500, I was promised a $2,815 refund at delivery. Now they are requesting an additional $1,200, it is always some new money request.

My Goal is compensation and/or exposing this situation.

I paid.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 8, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear that you've been the victim of this scam. Unfortunately, these kinds of car buying scams are all too common. Based on the details you provided, this sounds like a classic advance-fee scam where the scammer keeps demanding more and more payments for bogus fees and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Internet Law, Consumer Law and Criminal Law for Texas on
Q: Can you help me? I've been scammed trying to buy a 2018 Nissan Altima for $2,500, since May 21st. I paid $2,815.

Since May 21st. I am out of $2,815, trying to purchase a 2018 Nissan Altima for $2,500, I was promised a $2,815 refund at delivery. Now they are requesting an additional $1,200, it is always some new money request.

My Goal is compensation and/or exposing this situation.

I paid.... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jun 6, 2024

This sounds a lot like a scam and you should notify law enforcement, Zelle, and CashApp.

In an ordinary purchase of the used car, you would pay the money to the Seller, the Seller would sign the title over to you, and you would take possession of the vehicle and title. If you were...
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3 Answers | Asked in Social Security, Civil Rights and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: hello, Can a person get sued for emailing another persons social security info with no permission?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 30, 2024

It depends on that facts and circumstances whether the person had a duty to treat the other person's social security information as private. An employer or healthcare provider has a duty to keep such information private and cannot email that information to another other than for a permitted... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Social Security, Civil Rights and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: hello, Can a person get sued for emailing another persons social security info with no permission?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 12, 2024

Emailing someone's Social Security number without their permission may be illegal under various state and federal laws. Here are a few potential legal issues:

1. Identity theft: If the person emailing the SSN does so with the intent to commit identity theft or fraud, they could face...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for Texas on
Q: can a local police department say false things about you on social media? Making it look like you committed a crime?

I was accused of something on social media by local department and it was not like they said it happened. no. charges filed but the it made me look like i was still guilty . I wàs defended in comments and even after things were over they chose to lie and make me look like a thief still and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

If a local police department has posted false or misleading information about you on social media, suggesting you committed a crime when no charges have been filed, it's essential to address this matter seriously. The police are expected to adhere to standards of accuracy and fairness,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law, Education Law and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: is my teacher allowed to get rid of something I wrote in my own time without my permission?

I'm in 8th grade and in my English class, I work on a story that I've been writing. admittedly it is during the time I'm supposed to be doing other assignments; however, I do find that the way she (my teacher) handled this was a little over the top.

She threatened that if I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

Under California law, your teacher's actions could potentially infringe upon your rights, especially if the work was created on your own time and does not violate school policy. Intellectual property laws protect the creations of your mind, and even as a student, you have rights to your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Gaming, Intellectual Property, Internet Law and Copyright for Texas on
Q: Can I create content using a known superhero's cowl and just the cowl and escape copyright infringement and the such?

Long story short I want to create youtube videos of RANDOM and just RANDOM content while using ex: Flash cowl. Just the top part of the mask not even the one that covers the whole face. I will use a different name, and although use some mannerisms, it will be obvious it is pure satire/parody. I got... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 11, 2024

Using elements of a copyrighted superhero character, such as the Flash's cowl, in your content can be legally risky, even if you're only using part of the costume and intend it as satire or parody. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including characters and their... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Intellectual Property, Internet Law and Trademark for Texas on
Q: If I write product review articles online under the persona of a fictional character, how would I disclose that?

I am starting an affiliate marketing website to write product review, comparison, advice-type articles but creating a character which I want to credit the articles to instead of using my own name and likeness. I am trying to find out how to do this without misleading my readers but I don’t want... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 1, 2024

When creating content under a fictional persona for your affiliate marketing website, it's important to maintain transparency without overwhelming your readers with disclaimers. This balance is key to establishing trust while respecting your creative approach.

A subtle yet clear way to...
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