Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, is speaking out against YouTube for its handling of a bitcoin scam that targeted him. The scammers used his image and video to deceive people into sending them money, with some losing their life savings.
Wozniak’s wife, Janet, reported the scam to YouTube multiple times, but the platform did nothing. Wozniak sued YouTube on behalf of some of the victims, citing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which limits liability for online platforms.
The scammers were able to exploit the law by creating a video that appeared legitimate and used Wozniak’s likeness without permission. They promised investors that they would receive double their investment in bitcoin, but instead, they lost everything.
Wozniak believes that YouTube has failed to protect its users from such scams and is calling for greater accountability from the platform. “That’s a crime,” he said. “You know, a good person, if you see a crime happening, you step in and you do something about it.”
The case highlights the ongoing issue of online scams and the need for platforms like YouTube to take responsibility for their role in facilitating such activity. Wozniak’s experience serves as a reminder that even pioneers of technology can fall victim to online scams, and that greater action is needed to protect users from exploitation.
Wozniak’s lawsuit against YouTube has been ongoing for five years, despite federal legislation that limits liability for social media platforms. The law, known as Section 230, has been criticized for making it too easy for scammers to operate without consequence.
As the internet continues to evolve and grow, Wozniak’s words serve as a cautionary tale about the need for greater accountability from online platforms. “Look at spam, look at the phishing attempts just all over the place,” he said. “And there’s not enough real muscle to fight it.”
Wozniak’s experience is a reminder that even with the best intentions, technology can be used to exploit and deceive people. It’s up to us to stay vigilant and demand greater accountability from online platforms.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-wozniak-on-fighting-internet-scams