Lizard Squad lawyer: Tech giants are guilty for cybercrime, not my hacker client

A criminal defence solicitor has argued it is too easy to blame hackers for the rise in cybercrime when the public should be focused on why technology companies are selling products and services not fit for purpose.

In December 2014 the Xbox and PlayStation gaming networks were knocked offline by the infamous hacking group, Lizard Squad. Following the hack, police forces in Finland and the UK swooped to capture two alleged members of the group.

Seventeen-year-old Julius Kivimaki from Finland was convicted of more than 50,000 computer hacks and given a two-year suspended prison sentence for his involvement.

While gamers were upset at having their fun ruined over the Christmas period, Ernest Aduwa of Stokoe Partnership Solicitors, who is representing the as yet unnamed UK member of Lizard Squad, said that the public should focus their frustration at Microsoft and Sony and not his client.

'With each console retailing at several hundreds of pounds and Sony's net profit more than tripling in second quarter of 2015, surely the public are entitled to a bit more protection,' said Aduwa.

'The public is very much aware of the threat of cybercrime and deserves a new kite mark from businesses, governments, and law enforcement agencies to be reassured that they are safe,' he added.

'It's not too much to ask. How does Sony explain to consumers that with all their profits they aren't able to stop a bunch of teenagers from shutting down their networks?'

Aduwa went on to argue that more legislation is not the answer to the problem of cybercrime, nor is extra staffing for an under-resourced police force.

'It would be a complete farce to arrest and prosecute the drivers of cars that crashed because of a manufacturing defect,' he said. 'In reality the cars are recalled. Toyota was fined $1.2bn following a criminal investigation into whether it concealed safety defects from the public. This sent a clear message to the car industry: do not repeat Toyota's mistake.'

Rather than prosecuting talented young people, the East London-based solicitor suggested that tech companies should explain why their products were sold to the public if they were not safe and secure.

Aduwa also drew attention to the role hacking groups can play in bringing security flaws to the general public's attention.

'People shouldn't be criticised for celebrating hacks that expose weaknesses in products or services that will affect the public,' Aduwa continued. 'Hacktavist group, Anonymous, helped shed light on Microsoft's new Windows 10, which Anonymous says has some disturbing privacy defaults.'

 

John van der Luit-Drummond is deputy editor for Solicitors Journal
john.vanderluit@solicitorsjournal.co.uk | @JvdLD