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Author Topic: Ethics of IP Masking, VPN's to Circuмvent Paywalls  (Read 414 times)

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Offline SoldierofCtK

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Ethics of IP Masking, VPN's to Circuмvent Paywalls
« on: February 06, 2020, 02:12:31 PM »
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    • Does anyone have advice on the ethics of using various methods to get around paywalls on some internet sites? I'm only concerned with legitimate uses, not talking about sharing Netflix account passwords, as Netflix can be as bad as TV programming and movies...

    For example, I use a text-to-speech website app for some personal/commercial projects on YouTube, but the free access is limited to only 20 minutes a day. I can upgrade for $10 a month, or I can use an IP switcher and the counter resets as it thinks I'm a new user. Is this similar to lying or stealing? (Some might recognize a bit of scruples, but I don't think pre-Vatican II teaching foresaw browser extensions and IP addresses, haha)

    What are the principles involved in this and similar scenarios? Thanks in advance and God bless.
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    Offline SimpleMan

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    Re: Ethics of IP Masking, VPN's to Circuмvent Paywalls
    « Reply #1 on: February 06, 2020, 03:07:41 PM »
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    • I am of two minds about this.  On the one hand, if the software vendor fails to write their software so as to exclude random IPs --- and I'm not sure this is even possible --- then they are putting their free trial "out there" and relying on the honor of users of the free trial to abstain from logging on multiple times.  It seems similar to "honor boxes" at roadside produce stands in rural areas --- they can't have someone sitting there all day while people drive by, so they leave the produce out in the open and rely on the customer's honor and integrity to pay for whatever they take, and only to take as much as they've paid for.  On the other hand, is it an exact analogy?  I don't know.

    I use a VPN to be able to access television programming from abroad that is free on their websites, but only intended for domestic consumption (Canada, UK, Poland, etc.) --- I log onto a network in the given country, and thus circuмvent their licensing.  I am not depriving anyone of anything, and theoretically, if the programming contains advertising, I could end up buying the products advertised, or at least buying from those companies, the next time I am in those countries. 
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    Offline Clemens Maria

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    Re: Ethics of IP Masking, VPN's to Circuмvent Paywalls
    « Reply #2 on: February 06, 2020, 03:45:04 PM »
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    • It can depend on the circuмstances.  For example, LinkedIn has a registration wall, where you can only access the content if you register.  But it only kicks in if you have accessed the site a few times.  All their content is not really theirs.  It is public content which was freely provided by the users.  The users don't restrict access to the public data.  In fact, they want it to be available.  LinkedIn is putting up the registration wall to push people into providing their data to LinkedIn so that LinkedIn can increase profits.  Nothing wrong with that.  But what if I delete all my browser cookies?  To LinkedIn, it looks like I've never been to the site so they give me access.  Is that unethical on my part?  I don't think so.  In fact, another company sued LinkedIn and won because they said LinkedIn cannot restrict access to the data that users have made public.

    But if some publishing company puts up a paywall to prevent people from accessing their company-owned and produced data or information/news, etc, then I do think it would be wrong to circuмvent that paywall even if it is trivial to do.  But given that it is so trivial, it probably isn't a serious sin.  It would be like stepping a foot off the side-walk and onto some grass that has a sign "Keep Off Grass" or "No trespassing".  Technically it is illegal but no court is going to fine you much less put you in jail for that.  But putting in an effort to hack into a site is definitely a serious sin.
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    Offline MiserereMei

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    Re: Ethics of IP Masking, VPN's to Circuмvent Paywalls
    « Reply #3 on: February 06, 2020, 04:02:27 PM »
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    • Quote from: SoldierofCtK on February 06, 2020, 02:12:31 PM
    Does anyone have advice on the ethics of using various methods to get around paywalls on some internet sites? I'm only concerned with legitimate uses, not talking about sharing Netflix account passwords, as Netflix can be as bad as TV programming and movies...

    For example, I use a text-to-speech website app for some personal/commercial projects on YouTube, but the free access is limited to only 20 minutes a day. I can upgrade for $10 a month, or I can use an IP switcher and the counter resets as it thinks I'm a new user. Is this similar to lying or stealing? (Some might recognize a bit of scruples, but I don't think pre-Vatican II teaching foresaw browser extensions and IP addresses, haha)

    What are the principles involved in this and similar scenarios? Thanks in advance and God bless.
    If that site is a legit business and the owner makes a living from it, you should pay the fee. Even more if you use it for business reasons. Could this fee be allocated to yoyr business expenses?
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    Offline Stubborn

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    Re: Ethics of IP Masking, VPN's to Circuмvent Paywalls
    « Reply #4 on: February 07, 2020, 02:29:23 PM »
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    • Quote from: SoldierofCtK on February 06, 2020, 02:12:31 PM
    Does anyone have advice on the ethics of using various methods to get around paywalls on some internet sites? I'm only concerned with legitimate uses, not talking about sharing Netflix account passwords, as Netflix can be as bad as TV programming and movies...

    For example, I use a text-to-speech website app for some personal/commercial projects on YouTube, but the free access is limited to only 20 minutes a day. I can upgrade for $10 a month, or I can use an IP switcher and the counter resets as it thinks I'm a new user. Is this similar to lying or stealing? (Some might recognize a bit of scruples, but I don't think pre-Vatican II teaching foresaw browser extensions and IP addresses, haha)

    What are the principles involved in this and similar scenarios? Thanks in advance and God bless.
    It's very simple actually.

    If it were you who owned the service and made your living off of it, what would happen to your income if most of the subscribers did what you are proposing? If it would hurt you then it will hurt them, it is wrong, don't do it.

    You are going to pay for it one way or the other no matter what, so never forget that it is always better to pay here than in the hereafter.
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    "But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men." - Acts 5:29

    The Highest Principle in the Church: "We are first of all under obedience to God, and only then under obedience to man" - Fr. Hesse

    Offline Ascetik

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    Re: Ethics of IP Masking, VPN's to Circuмvent Paywalls
    « Reply #5 on: February 07, 2020, 03:14:07 PM »
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    • Just use Amazon Polly.
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    Offline SoldierofCtK

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    Re: Ethics of IP Masking, VPN's to Circuмvent Paywalls
    « Reply #6 on: February 08, 2020, 10:14:14 PM »
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    • Thank you all for the great advice! I was able to find some other services that have fewer restrictions within the free "tier." If the need for more access ever arises, I would start using Amazon Polly, as the prices are beyond reasonable. I say I have a "commercial" use, as I do monetize the YouTube videos, but only currently earn about $20 a year in revenue so I don't really keep track of the expenses...

    I appreciate the help in better understanding the legitimate uses of some of these "online identity" tools. God bless.
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    +J.M.J.+

    Fides Ex Auditu - Faith Comes From Hearing
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