Facebook v. Vachani – User Authorization Can Be Revoked By Service Providers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently issued a decision that could have far reaching implications for the relationships between companies that provide online services, their customers or users, and third parties. In Facebook v. Vachani, the Ninth Circuit found that Power Ventures violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ("CFAA") and California Penal Code Section 502. Power Ventures did this by continuing to access Facebook's computer system after receiving Facebook's letter to cease and desist such activity. Although Power Ventures had permission from relevant Facebook users, the users' authorization had been revoked by Facebook itself through its letter.

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