Who's a rat?

[jake-the-peg]

Opinions on this website?

http://www.whosarat.com/index.php

"Largest on-line database of police informants and agents"

Perhaps the Americans would be better served attacking this website rather than Wikileaks?

[youngmafbog]

Yes and they can take the Frogs with them

[Newscruiser]

jakethepeg with some of Americas strict laws I would've thought something like this would be illegal as surely this information being made public leaves those who's names and details are found on it open to blackmail assault and more than likely murder and this must be a vigilantes dream
What purpose was it for the sites owners to put up these details and just who's details are on here and where do you draw the line with who's a 'rat'? Are hardcore criminals on this site distinguished from the pensioner up the street that called the police for a burglary? Some people will welcome the names of the paedophile rapist or murderer that has committed acts against themselves or a friend or family member if their motive is maybe name and shame or revenge but i fail to see what this would bring to a law abiding citizen.

[jake-the-peg]

What purpose?

You pay for the data!

[jno]

looks like the Mafia don's favourite website (and a home for your friendly local libeller)

[Newscruiser]

As always jake.
Also another legally dangerous aspect of this is the possibility of legal action against those that run the site if an Agent or Rat becomes the victim of any crimes due to someone tracing them through the information on this site.
I know the law varies from state to state but does anyone know the what the laws in the U.s say about this? Would they be liable?
I almost feel tempted to pay the 7 DAY Trial Membership price for $9.99 but as I intend to go to the states at some point I don't want to be taken into the backroom at jfk Airport and questioned about joining a dodgy website and my motives in the U.s.

[jake-the-peg]

I'm afraid the internet isn't as easy as that Newscruiser as the Americans know after trying to shutdown Wikileaks.

That website may well not be based in the US, there are all sorts of obstacles in shutting it down.

Imagine the furore if a website based in the UK were printing the details of Government informers in China and the Chinese tried to shut it down

[anotheoldgit]

Is this a news question?

Should be in 'technology' sub heading 'internet'.

[Newscruiser]

Anotheoldgit, no this is not a question asking about technology but a newsworthy link asking us our opinions on the above site and us to make the link between the above site and wikilinks and spurning other questions. According to your logic then any questions involving Bill Gates or the Pentagon hacker etc.. should also be put in Technology? Of course not.

[anotheoldgit]

/// asking us our opinions on the above site ///

Exactly asking our opinions on a particular web site, hence an internet question.

/// questions involving Bill Gates or the Pentagon hacker etc.. should also be put in Technology? ///

Yes, of course, unless there happens to be a particular news report on them.

[Newscruiser]

Anotheoldgit just because it isn't accompanied with a news article from a newspaper or magazine this doesn't make it any less newsworthy and my bet is if you actually googled deep you'd find the above site mentioned in tabloids across the water.

[Newscruiser]

Very interesting warning here

http://cryptome.org/leo-whosarat.htm

And it's made the Abc news here

http://abcnews.go.com...ory?id=3209627&page=1

[anotheoldgit]

pixi-

/// hmm and shouldn't your 'were is gromit' have been maybe in chatterbank and not news then? ///

No because gromit is a prevalent news topic contributor, and I don't know if he posts in chatterbank.

It's like asking in Facebook or similar, "where's gromit" I would most likely get a reply such as "who the hell is gromit".

[jake-the-peg]

Sorry - it's news because of this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...gland-london-12175431

[rov1100]

As this website has been operating for over 6 years it makes you wonder how many informants have been bumped off. Some may be completely innocent of doing so. If their name is published how do you prevent one rogue criminal naming his rival. This would be very evident in drug related crimes.