Should catfishing be illegal?
- Thread starter MrDawn
- Start date
I think if money is involved that people should at least be able to take others to small claims court (if both parties live in the US). I am not sure jail time is something needed since our jails are overcrowded as it is.
Sometimes I have heard this does happen, or they come to an agreement that they'd pay back the person. I am an avid watcher of the MTV show which is called Catfish. It's quite interesting the lengths people will go big time.
I feel if there's no money involved and such, then it's just whatever IMO. You got 'pranked' and 'owned', and best to move on with your life.
I think I've seen all of the Catfish tv shows now! I know some of it is not true...there was one girl who said SHE wrote into the show and then the producers turned it around to make it be the boy's mother writing into the show and the girl appeared to be the bad guy. Typical reality tv stuff though.
What I understand is the producers know who the Catfish is, but the hosts do not know anything about them. This was from an article I read a long time ago about the show. I am not too surprised by what you mentioned. It is reality TV after all.
I think if there is money involved there should be a law against catfishing and the person being catfished should have every right to take things further if they wish. If the person catfishing is doing no harm and there is no money involved then I really don't think there is much of an issue.
Etini Willie
Reputable
That is impersonation. I think there are laws against that. The challenge is the work and cost of tracing offenders in faceless platforms.
oh hey @Katrina
I think this was the article. 2014 and Max is not with the show anymore.
www.vulture.com
Very eye opening how the show works/worked back then. I am unsure how it is these days.
I think this was the article. 2014 and Max is not with the show anymore.
Here’s How MTV’s Catfish Actually Works
Often, it’s the fakers who write in asking to be on the show.
www.vulture.com
Very eye opening how the show works/worked back then. I am unsure how it is these days.
Niyi Briggs
Reputable
No matter how it is, it is a fraudulent action and fraud is a crime as far as the law is concerned.
Catfishing is clearly morally wrong on any level but I think you would need to establish intent before bringing it into the criminal domain.
If I as a slightly tired and worn out 63 year old were to post a picture of a fit young man in order to find a partner I don't think that constitutes a criminal act for example.
If I as a slightly tired and worn out 63 year old were to post a picture of a fit young man in order to find a partner I don't think that constitutes a criminal act for example.
Niyi Briggs
Reputable
This is deception no matter how you want to look at it. Let the person know from the onset what he or she is going into. I classify it as fraud.
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