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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Business Law and Internet Law for New York on
Q: The web host I've been with for more than 20 years just disabled my account because of a dispute with Discover Card.

I put in a dispute about a $100 unexplained fee with Discover, so they deactivated my account without notice. I now have no email on those accounts. Is it legal to do this without notice? I sent in many trouble tickets asking them what the fee was for but never got a solid answer. This is affecting... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 9, 2023

There are attorneys who specialize in IT matters, but your question remains open for a week. Until you're able to consult with one, from the standpoint of contract law, it could depend on your hosting agreement. It's possible the payment dispute was treated as a breach of the agreement,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law on
Q: Can third-party website collect reviews about my company without my consent?

I found information about my company with negative reviews on a third-party website that I have never registered on. I was added and just collect reviews without my consent.

But how can this site collect reviews about my company without my consent? Do they need my permission to collect... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 7, 2023

Generally speaking, a company can collect reviews about your company and make them available on a website as long as they are not fake. They do not need your consent or permission to do so.

A review is fake if it is from someone who did not do business with your company. If a review is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Internet Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I record voice chat on a game server in memory (never written to disk) for moderation purposes?

I'd like to allow a team of moderators to review voice chat manually. There is no automated system in place, and the team would need to manually listen to and subsequently make decisions from the data.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jul 6, 2023

The recording of voice chat on a game server for moderation purposes may raise legal considerations, particularly in relation to privacy laws. In Michigan, it is generally required to obtain consent from all parties involved in a conversation before recording it. However, laws can vary, and there... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for Hawaii on
Q: My ex's brother is clinically insane, obsessed with me (cause he finds me a threat) and threatens to ruin my life by con

My ex's brother is clinically insane, obsessed with me (cause he finds me a threat) and threatens to ruin my life by contacting my work, landlord, other ex's, etc.

The most recent incident resulted in the brother being flown back to the mainland with his parents.

I live... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Jul 5, 2023

Note that I am not an Hawaii attorney. Based on your narrative, it sounds like you likely have grounds for a protection order (assuming HI has anti-stalking protection orders). However, barring your stalker from an island is going to depend on facts that you have not shared. In Ohio, for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Collections, Identity Theft and Internet Law for New Jersey on
Q: My company is SaaS system provider, is legal to outsource DBA job to China? to take care of customer's data?

My company is SaaS system provider, take care of customer's data, we have some bank customers in the US. but for saving money, we outsource database administrators, system engineers job to our China's branch, these engineers access the SaaS system and data remotely from China, is it legal?

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Jul 4, 2023

Why wouldn't this arrangement be legal?

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Civil Rights, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for Florida on
Q: Is owner/admin of public Telegram Channel resp. for content of posts, both personally created or forwarded from others?

We have a radical Qanon activist - self professed digital warrior- who is an elected member of our non profit, all volunteer assoc. She operates 2 Telegram channels & a Rumble site. Both have tons of antisemitic, anti-LGBTQ, anti-govt, etc content. I don’t know that it rises to a hate crime.... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jun 27, 2023

If she is a "provider or user of an interactive computer service", such as the "Telegram channels" and the "Rumble site", it appears that she is protected by 47 U.S.C. 230, other than with respect to content created by her personally. It would be up to your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Consumer Law, Contracts and Internet Law for Florida on
Q: If an online seller from another state violates a law in my state, are they bound to my states law?

Online seller renewed a year long subscription without advance notice and is refusing a refund even though I canceled immediately. This is illegal in FL but they are based in Massachusetts

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Jun 24, 2023

If you are buying while in Fla., Fla. law should apply. Regardless, to take legal action, you must see the terms that you agreed to for what procedures and venues apply for resolving any dispute. You likely checked a box for "terms and conditions". By doing that, you agreed to the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Internet Law and Small Claims on
Q: i’m being harassed by girls. they took a picture in front of my house, and posted it. they drive by me and laugh

do i file a police report? i feel violated and unsafe to even just walk the street.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jun 22, 2023

Taking a photograph of the front of your home and posting it, then driving by you laughing isn't harassment.

In my jurisdiction (i.e. The State of Texas), the crime of "harassment" is defined as follows --

(a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to harass,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Sexual Harassment and Internet Law for California on
Q: I have been blackmailed and harassed online. What can I do about this?

I have been blackmailed for money online. A user who had a “fake” account got hold of explicit photos of me and is threatening to share them with all of my Instagram followers unless I pay them. I have documented all interactions with this person and have access to their phone number and venmo,... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jun 19, 2023

First, you would contact police to report a crime. The police can investigate and find the person responsible. If that person is in CA or at least in the US, then a lawsuit would be possible. However, unless that person is independently wealthy, do not expect an attorney to take such a case on a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, International Law, Internet Law and Juvenile Law on
Q: Im a 20 year old from India,i accidentally flirted with a 15 year old girl from US online, I never initiated it she did

O

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 18, 2023

It is important to be aware that engaging in any kind of sexual or romantic behavior with a minor, even if it is online, can have serious legal consequences. In the United States, the age of consent varies by state, but it is generally between 16 and 18 years old. If you are over the age of consent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in International Law and Internet Law for Arizona on
Q: Contacted eBay buyer via cellphone over a false "item not received" claim.

Hello, I had a buyer on eBay file a request case a few days ago claiming they haven't received the item they ordered. I shipped the order 2 days after it was ordered and it took less than 2 weeks to deliver. In their statement, they claimed that it took 2 and a half weeks to ship which was... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 18, 2023

It is not illegal to contact a buyer via cellphone to discuss a transaction, but it is important to be cautious and respectful in your communication. It is also important to ensure that you are not violating any laws or regulations related to privacy or harassment.

In this case, it is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Landlord - Tenant, Real Estate Law and Internet Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I take legal action against HABC.org (Housing Authority of Baltimore City) for False Advertisement?

I have two rental properties in Baltimore City that I wanted to lease out in October 22'. I came across an article/press release online advertising a $1,500 incentive for new landlord's who signed up with program. I begin working with the program and due to their own continuous mistakes... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 1, 2023

You want to retain a lawyer to file a suit against what is either a government agency or a public-private partnership which might have a regulatory layer that requires some specialization, and the amount of your lawsuit will be for $3,000. Is that right? The non-refundable retainer from counsel in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law, Internet Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Can I take legal action against HABC.org (Housing Attorney of Baltimore City) for False Advertisement?

I have two rental properties in Baltimore City that I wanted to lease out in October 22'. I came across an article/press release online advertising a $1,500 incentive for new landlord's who signed up with program with HABC (Housing Authority of Baltimore City). I begin working with the... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on May 28, 2023

Take them to small claims court and good luck. You need to consult an attorney in your local area that practices this kind of law. Thank you for using Justia Ask a Lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Internet Law for California on
Q: can I take action again an mc server if they want to take control of my childs pc

My child is obviously a minor, a minecraft server wanted to take control of the family PC with work documents and such on it, or else they would be banned from the server.

You might suggest just not having my child play on this server to which I would 100% agree, however all the servers... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 23, 2023

Granting remote access to unknown individuals or installing unknown programs on your child's computer raises legitimate concerns. It is advisable to prioritize the safety and security of your child and personal data. If a Minecraft server insists on such access and fails to provide sufficient... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law, International Law and Internet Law for Washington on
Q: Amazon closed my account, can reinstate it?

amazon kdp closed my account on 01-12-2023. With 22,000$ three pending months, I have been a publisher with Amazon KDP since 2019 and have worked hard over the past four years to establish myself as one of the best-sellers in the children category. Unfortunately, due to a mistake on my part, I have... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 5, 2023

If your Amazon KDP account was closed due to policy violations or negligence on your part, it may be possible to reinstate your account by contacting Amazon KDP support and explaining your situation. You will need to provide evidence that you understand the policies and have taken steps to correct... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law and Internet Law on
Q: I found a security hole and logged into someone's account at my college to find the answer of one assessment

I’m a software development student, I know what I did is wrong and I’m really sad. I’m afraid what can happen if someone find what I did

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on May 5, 2023

Your answer will be found in your student code of conduct (sometimes called an honor code at some colleges). In most schools, what you have done is punishable by expulsion. Do NOT talk about this with anyone other than your attorney. Seek one out who is familiar with your school. Depending on... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, International Law, Internet Law, Copyright and Intellectual Property on
Q: I am a seller on Etsy and somebody has traced my work and DMCAed me, claiming they made it.

I am a seller on Etsy. Somebody has been harassing me for 22 days and they claim my art is theirs.

I asked for proof but refused. After 18 days, they listed traced versions of my work onto Etsy. I DMCAed them with Etsy's system, siting my "authorized works" as the ones on... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on May 3, 2023

The copyright law provides a remedy for damages from false (fraudulent) DMCA claims, under 15 USC section 512: "any person who knowingly materially misrepresents under this section ... shall be liable for any damages, including costs and attorney's fees."

So you can sue in...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Intellectual Property, Internet Law and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Texas on
Q: How do i obtain personal data being denied? When I'm in compliance with procedures but instead infringement is the act

Intellectual property being withheld and my attempts have been ignored from several organizations. I've reached out to our states bar association more than several times for a fact and got little to no assistance and unfortunately finances have been affected by the covid pandemic and personal... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 2, 2023

If you believe that your personal data is being withheld without justification, you may have legal options to obtain that information.

First, you can try to reach out directly to the organizations that are denying you access to your data and ask for an explanation for the denial. It may be...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Internet Law and Gov & Administrative Law for California on
Q: sending a screenshot of text phone records violate privacy law in California?

Im the account holder for my phone carrier and would like to send a screen shot of another person on the account texts records to another person. Would like to know if this is legal

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 1, 2023

Sending a screenshot of text phone records to another person may potentially violate privacy laws in California. California is one of the strictest states when it comes to privacy laws and it has specific regulations in place to protect individuals from unauthorized disclosure of their personal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: There is a crazy ex stalking my family, making threats etc. can they mess with my husband about a warrant if I file p.r?

Today my husband almost got hit at work, along with an employee and customer. The crazy ex texts both of us saying he won’t miss again. I really need to know as soon as possible. So I can make this all go away. Theirs is so much more to this story and frankly I’m tired of having to even watch... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 27, 2023

Saying he won't miss again under the facts presented sounds to me like it violates the criminal statute against making "terroristic threats." In this context, "terroristic" is not limited to a political terrorist like on the news. It is a criminal offense defined as... View More

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