A Facebook 'like' constitutes an act of conspiracy

[webfact]

FACE OFF: COMPUTER CRIME LAW
A 'like' constitutes an act of conspiracy

BANGKOK: -- “Liking” defamatory content on Facebook sparks debate on whether acknowledging such posts should be considered a crime. On the one hand, authorities say the action is deemed as supporting dissent, but on the other, cyber-liberty advocates say Facebook “likes” only constitute support of the online record of a pre-existing act.

Pol Colonel Olarn Sukkasem, superintendent of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, Central Investigation Bureau, who is in charge of enforcing the Computer Crime Act 2007 highlights need to control social media conspirators:

"Liking" a controversial or defamatory message on Facebook is certainly a crime as it shows support for the content.

The action is on par with cheering someone who has murdered a victim. People who publish such posts online should also consider that those comments might remain on the Internet for a long time.

People who click on the "like" tab should not be under the illusion that they are not showing support for the content. If they perform any action regarding the message whatsoever, Olarn said, that are contributing to the message.

Clicking the "like" tab on a message that is in contravention of Article 14 of the Act on Computer Crime 2007 is the same as importing or sharing false information that threatens national security and stability. The article also covers the import and distribution of obscene information.

It is true that the Computer Act was first enacted years before social media become popular in the Kingdom. This may spark some public concern that the law might not be adequately designed to suit the current context, he said.

Also, some may believe that authorities could take advantage of this state of affairs by a broad interpretation of the Act to favour the government, given that an increased number of people have recently been convicted for clicking "like" and "share" on Facebook. On this point, Olarn said police do not have the power to interpret laws, they simply follow the legislation. More Facebook users have been convicted lately because social media has been more actively used in Thailand and more people's actions have been in contravention of the existing law.

Some may question the fact that even though many people click "like" or "share" on what are categorised as inappropriate posts, only a relatively few end up being prosecuted. Responding to this point, the superintendent admitted that the police have limited resources and they cannot arrest all wrongdoers in this context.

However, Olarn said, police do prioritise their list of arrest warrants based on the actions of the suspects. For instance, if a thousand people "like" an inappropriate post, but one among them also posts other defamatory photos or messages, that person would be arrested first.

The superintendent said in that case some people might be considered guiltier than others, although all of the thousand Facebook conspirators would be considered legally guilty.

Olarn added that the person who went to the trouble of adding other photos or messages would potentially be considered more "dangerous" than the others.

Olarn acknowledged that the international community might have formed a negative opinion of the draconian legislation, particularly after the recent arrest of alleged Computer Act violator Thanakorn Siripaiboon. Thanakorn has also been accused of violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code regarding insults to the monarchy by clicking "like" on defamatory posts.

The superintendent said he was also aware that foreign entities had voiced their disapproval regarding Facebook-related arrests on the grounds that such an extreme reaction was unlikely to happen in other countries.

Olarn said other countries also had laws against defamation and critics of Thailand should not be oversensitive about the issue.

He said Thai people had been used to limitless freedom, which had caused society to become disorganised. Something had to be done to stop people from exercising their free will without enough consideration about others, he added.

Olarn insisted that the main duty of police was to maintain equality among every social unit, including the government and the Royal institution.

The police officer said neither the government nor the Royal institution was used to publicly reacting to critics, so the police had to step in to protect them by enforcing the law.

He stressed that the current enforcement of the Computer Act did not limit people's rights to express doubt. People can pose questions about social matters as long as those questions do not spread false information likely to defame others, he said.

Society should be more aware of the police role to protect citizens and maintain justice, he said, adding that people should contact police if they noticed anything suspicious, rather than distribute defamatory messages that could land them in jail.

The Kingdom's current socio-political situation is abnormal and stringent law enforcement in society is needed to keep the country orderly and organised, Olarn added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/A-like-constitutes-an-act-of-conspiracy-30275797.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-28

[prestburypark]

no comment

[waldroj]

Facebook's planned "Dislike" button can't come soon enough for responding to articles like this!

[Jingthing]

Pleasant weather we're having.

[NongKhaiKid]

A police officer said the govt wasn't used to publicly reacting to critics so the police had to step n to protect it ! ?

Not used to reacting, has he ever heard some of the the things the PM says ?

[benalibina]

The references in the article made about the task of the police in Thai society are just.......laughable.....in respect to reality ofcourse.

[MilesofSmiles]

Something had to be done to stop people from exercising their free will without enough consideration about others, he added.

[thesetat2013]

Are these guys lost or what? Clicking like could mean a many number of things. I click like because sometimes I think it is funny or ridiculous or even ludicrous. Not because I like and agree with what was written. Their are many more reason to click 'like' than just what they are saying.

[Thai at Heart]

The action is on par with cheering someone who has murdered a victim. People who publish such posts online should also consider that those comments might remain on the Internet for a long time.

Um, no its not at all. Firstly, people don't know that a statement is lese majeste at the time that they like it. Secondly, is it illegal to cheer a murderer? No matter how they dress it up, making a "like" have some legal meaning is absolute nonsense. It has no meaning at all. It conferes no support, no complicit meaning or otherwise.

[MZurf]

"....authorities say the action is deemed as supporting dissent...."

Just this sentence should send shivers down the spine of every person raised in a democratic country - well, except for the "fringe elements".

[NCFC]

Pleasant weather we're having.

Your post implies that sometimes the weather is unpleasant. This does not bring happiness to the people.

Off to have your attitude re-adjusted, Jingthing!

[Langsuan Man]

Is this another endangered species ?

[metisdead]

An offensive post has been removed.

[tbthailand]

the Computer Crime Act 2007

Note the year and recall that this hideous law was created under the last junta...

Same same, but different...

[canuckamuck]

I don't like where this is going.

[DM07]

Complete realityLOS!

[puukao]

If you like it.....you like it. you certainly don't NOT like it, and you made an effort to show your like.....

outside of USA (and lots of time while in USA), I won't post anything anywhere....and haven't "liked" anything on any social media site for years....maybe only a few times ever...

let's not kid ourselves.....all posts everyone are stored somewhere.....it can all come back if need be...

and i hope they are reading this, "Deez Nuts!!!!"

[tomacht8]

I "like" beautiful women,
hope that not constitutes an act of conspiracy.

[puukao]

no comment

what are you hiding!!!! Why not say this is a GREAT idea, why not say it!!!!!!

off to the gulag!!!!!

[Somtamnication]

The best way to cook black beans, Cuban style, is to let it soak for 8 hours or more. Please DO NOT CLICK "Like This" if you are not a bean counter fan. It will upset the rest of us.

[phoenixdoglover]

Horrifying. The Thought Police have analyzed and concluded the infallible meaning and intent of clicking on a button labelled "like".

[Seastallion]

The action is on par with cheering someone who has murdered a victim. People who publish such posts online should also consider that those comments might remain on the Internet for a long time.

Um, no its not at all. Firstly, people don't know that a statement is lese majeste at the time that they like it. Secondly, is it illegal to cheer a murderer? No matter how they dress it up, making a "like" have some legal meaning is absolute nonsense. It has no meaning at all. It conferes no support, no complicit meaning or otherwise.

In a nutshell, it is thought police.

Cheering on a murderer may be distasteful, but I'm sure it's not a crime.

I can see how, with current laws, sharing an LM post could be (actually is) spreading the LM, and thus a crime. Clicking "like" however is merely an expression of self that does not promote or spread the "offensive" post.

Thought police.

[alant]

Fortunately everyone is happy so only the posts in line with official policy will be liked. Anything else would be against the law.

[BlindMagician]

Pleasant weather we're having.

Your post implies that sometimes the weather is unpleasant. This does not bring happiness to the people.

Off to have your attitude re-adjusted, Jingthing!

Aha!

[canuckamuck]

In a nutshell, to disagree with the government here is illegal. I think I heard about this sort of thing in political history class.

[Lupatria]

Once a "dislike" button is implemented they will use exactly the same argumentation and arrest you if you click it under content you are ordered to "like".

Next consequent step: you may face arrest after your neighbor told the thought police that you mentioned to like certain content?

Edited December 28, 2015 by Lupatria

[DavisH]

An offensive post has been removed.

But the OP remains...

[LannaGuy]

consigned to the Museum of Freedom

Edited December 28, 2015 by LannaGuy

[soalbundy]

One could always type a comment to the post

''I am not allowed to like this post''

[madmitch]

"He said Thai people had been used to limitless freedom, which had caused society to become disorganised. Something had to be done to stop people from exercising their free will without enough consideration about others, he added."

These two sentences sum this whole thing up for me. No need to say anything more.