Brickbat: Fishing Expedition

New Jersey officials are demanding that four MIT students hand over the source-code for a bitcoin-mining tool they developed as well as a list of all websites that might have run it. The tool allows visitors to a website to avoid seeing ads if they allow their computer to be used to mine bitcions. New Jersey officials say they aren't accusing the four of any wrongdoing but they are concerned that the tool has been used on websites within the state.

Comments

[Snark Plissken]

I didn't realize Massachusetts was now a part of New Jersey.

[Rev-Match]

...New Jersey isn't yet accusing Rubin of any wrongdoing.

But we're still going to try to fuck you over, anyway.

[Radioactive]

what happens at MIT stays at MIT

[UnCivilServant]

It's New Jersey, ignore them until they go away. Also, don't go there or the ambulatory adipose tumor might eat you.

[Adans smith]

sounds like they can't get a warrant for it,so they just make scary demands.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Mobsters act this way.

Oh wait.

It's the government. They do it for the children.

Never mind.

[AlmightyJB]

Where do you thing governments learned everyting they know. Extortion, intimidation, union corruption, numbers racket. They only went after the mob because they were competition.

[Drake]

Mobsters are fully integrated with the government in NJ - my family has had direct experience.

[PM]

What the actual fuck? Under what possible pretext could you even grope for a justification for the state to confiscate their code? Drug war I guess? Because bitcoin?

[WTF]

Ahem: Fuck You, That's Why.

[WTF]

Although I'll guess the actual justification is

[WTF]

TERRORISMS OMG!

[WTF]

No alt text? How about "We're from the government, and we're here to help."

[Almanian!]

The implied alt text, when there is no alt text, is "fuck you, commentariat - that's why".

The REASON staff - she is a harsh mistress...

[Almanian!]

Bitcoins are a tool of da debil

[JW]

"There's something suddenly wrong with the New Jersey state government web site! What exactly *is* a 'Hampster Dance,' anyway?"

[invisible furry hand]

it's female for 'fap'

[Cdr Lytton]

Men without Hat's less successful sequel?

[Matrix]

Tell New Jersey to fall into the ocean.