Singapore teen dealt 18-month probation, internet ban for WiFi stealing

While folks have been receiving various forms of punishment after jacking somebody's lingering WiFi signal without consent, it looks like the poor internet-addicted teenager from Singapore just barely missed out on the maximum fine. Proclaimed as the first victim of Singapore's newly-enforced Computer Misuse Act, the 17-year old Garyl Tan Jia Luo picked up 18 months of probation (some of which will be at home) instead of jail time, but what's potentially worse is the fact that he is not allowed to access the internet during his stint. Apparently, the judge felt this was the best way to break him of his internet addiction, and also recommended that the kiddo receive treatment for his online gaming obsession. Of course, we're sure his school grades will plummet and he'll miss out on a critical amount of technological development during the next 1.5 years, but hey, serving up justice is what it's all about, right? So if you're stuck in Singapore without a connection to the digital world, hold out just a bit longer for that free nationwide variety before hopping onto whatever jail-bait WiFi signal you find floating around.

[Via TechDirt]

[Xultar @ Jan 17th 2007 12:43PM]

Someone in Singapore has been using my effin credit card number...SOBs

[Andrew @ Jan 17th 2007 12:49PM]

No internet for 1.5 years? I think we can all agree that this would SUCK.

[StevO @ Jan 17th 2007 12:54PM]

how would they enforce this?

[Blackster @ Jan 17th 2007 1:52PM]

"Of course, we're sure his school grades will plummet..."

ehr you mean the opposite right?
they'll go up and not drop like lead

[Das @ Jan 17th 2007 2:33PM]

I disagree Blackster
Wikipedia FTW!

[Robert @ Jan 17th 2007 4:10PM]

no computer no web, my grades would hit a new low...

lets sign a petition to get him out of punishment, how was he to know that it wasn't starbuks wifi?

[Joey @ Jan 17th 2007 4:36PM]

It's common knowledge that Singapore is a Nanny State, although Singaporeans would deny this. Enforcing this will be child's play for them.

[Kenneth @ Jan 17th 2007 4:49PM]

Hey...We do know the conditions that we live in. But it's harmless....

For now.

[kinger @ Jan 17th 2007 5:08PM]

wow, that sucks. This is a good example of "creul and unusual punishment" many schools require research and internet usage, and therefor he would suffer for such a minor crime. If wifi users are really that protective of their wifi, they can password protect it. This is an over reaction.

[walvis @ Jan 17th 2007 6:04PM]

what? no caning?

[Z @ Jan 17th 2007 8:37PM]

Yeah, I'm sure after 1.5 years of no internet, he'll be completely cured. Please.

He'll most likely come back with an internet-surfing vengence after all that time, and in the meantime use a friends computer over at their house to surf the net. I don't see how they could keep him from doing so unless they're going to be tracking him with an ankle bracelet.

Besides, he's going to need the internet for the rest of high school and college. How is he supposed to complete his homework without online access? Unless there are other facts in the case we're not aware of, they should've let him off with a warning. It's not as though someone was injured or put at risk here. Harming his grades and school career isn't going to accomplish anything.

[Namssorg @ Jan 17th 2007 10:46PM]

Ahhh too bad. Just in time for Burning Crusade too.

[Isaac @ Jan 18th 2007 3:45PM]

Hahaha Namssorg, that's what I was just thinking, but maybe the Singapore government did us a favor by taking one more "gold farmer" out of the picture. ;)

Man, how sad is it that you *need* Internet connectivity to do school work? Or maybe it's just sadder that I'm old enough to be able to say I didn't need it when I was going through school... and boy, I sure could've used it, I mean, I never learned all of the important stuff that the Internet could have taught me, like how 2 use numbers and single letters instead of words or single letters. Damn I missed out on so much by having to go to the library and read periodicals, newspapers, and paperbooks. :( Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the use of the Internet for research, Wikipedia and Google are my best pals, but I really don't think schools/teachers should create assignments *requiring* students to have and use the Internet.

Banning him from the 'net is pretty harsh though... maybe ban him from online gaming, it's what it sounds like their intent was anyway. That's probably a hair easier than banning him from Internet usage. Maybe?

[Aaron Khoo @ Jan 19th 2007 6:46AM]

it would be easy to enforce. local Internet access is monitored, and those under probation/house arrest have cameras installed in their homes to ensure they are where they're supposed to be, when they're supposed to be there.

yes. how very 1984.

[crazyhamster @ Jan 19th 2007 12:41PM]

Erm, he is going Into NS soon, so effectively, it takes away 2 years of his life. SO! it doesnt really matters, he just cant use the internet during the weekends, on weekdays, he is busy roughing it out in national service.

[WiFi Jacker @ Jan 19th 2007 2:22PM]

Shit i myself am jacking connection to write this comment!!! and HOw in the heck would you enforce this kind of punishment?

[Mark @ Jan 20th 2007 1:29PM]

Correction. Singapore already has free WiFi boardband. Silly boy.