Security News > 2021 > March > Hacking is not a crime – and the media should stop using 'hacker' as a pejorative

This week's motion is: Hacking is not a crime, and the media should stop using 'hacker' as a pejorative.

Now, arguing FOR the motion is ALYSSA MILLER.... Using the term "Hacker" to describe cyber criminals is an unfortunate habit that plagues modern media.

The predominance of associating hacker with cyber criminals has exploded as cyber-attacks and breaches have become regular topics in mainstream media.

Using "Hacker" in such a pejorative manner is perilous, both for its lack of precision and the counter-productive impact it can have on society.

Using hacker as a pejorative also distorts social views of hackers, fostering the belief that hackers are inherently malicious in nature.

Allowing our media representations to portray hacker as equivalent to criminal actors makes the work of principled hackers even harder.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2021/03/03/debate_hackers_for/