Brought to you as a public service of the Open Spectrum Foundation (Stichting Open Spectrum), Amsterdam - Prague

NEWS

Singapore teenager faces 3 years in jail for using neighbor's WiFi

From "Report: Singapore teen faces 3 years' jail for tapping into another's wireless Internet," Associated Press via the Sydney Morning Herald, 11 November:

A Singapore teenager has been charged with tapping into someone else's wireless Internet connection, a crime that carries a penalty [in Singapore] of up to three years in jail, a newspaper reported Saturday.

"Garyl Tan Jia Luo, 17, is the first person to be charged with this crime under the Computer Misuse Act, the Straits Times reported. The report said Tan is accused of using a laptop computer to gain unauthorized access to a home wireless network on May 13.

"The newspaper said a neighbour had apparently lodged a complaint against Luo.

"Most notebook computers and personal digital assistants can detect unsecured networks and easily gain access.

"Tan was released on a bail of 6,000 Singapore US dollars (US$3,855; euro3,000) and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. If convicted, Tan faces up to three years in jail and fines of up to S$10,000 (US$6,425; euro5,000)..."

[WiFi 11 November 2006]