Are Hack authors liable for the use of their work

[Gio~Logist]

Someone can post a hack that allows for you to view a member's password if they want, however, no one can force you to install the hack. I'm sure everyone that has/will install the hack realizes that they will in one way or another, be violating their user's privacy by using it. Therefore, whether or not they pursue with their installation is comletely up to them. Perhaps in some states or countries this may be considered illegal however, i am sure that their are some places in which this is allowed. Vbulletin has come to be known for its great hacks and features, so why hate on someone because their opinion in nice features differ from yours? I agree, it isn't right to violate someone's privacy, however, at times it is only necessary. Lets say a member is being harassed via PM and has given yu numerous complaints. As an AMERICAN you are "innocent till prooven guilty". So how else will you be prooven guilty unless you can verify on whether or not a user is indeed harassing other members? Also, if a member is spamming your website, this feature is good for tracking them down and again PROOVING THAT THEIR GUILTY. Downloading the hack itself isn't violating a user's privacy, and Floris did not say "go read everyone's PMs", however, sometimes it is necessary. At times, violating someone's privacy is a small price you have to pay in order to maintain a stable forum.

I myself do not have this installed and i probably will not install it until it is necessary, however, Floris's code is extremely useful and i think she should be thanked instead of accused.

Gio