> Bulk downloading is often done with BitTorrent, the file-sharing protocol popular with pirates for its anonymity, and downloading with BitTorrent typically involves uploading to other users simultaneously.

Isn't this a twofold misunderstanding of BitTorrent? I haven't used it much, but I've never believed BitTorrent to be popular for anonymity (maybe they're thinking of Tor?), I thought it was popular because it makes downloading go faster by reducing bottlenecks. Also, choosing not to seed a file is extremely simple in every torrent client I've seen, so it seems a bit of a leap to conclude that Meta seeded the pirated books just because the protocol supports it.

I'm far more concerned about the simple fact that they downloaded pirated books at all than I am about the protocol they used to do it.

I can write whatever I want on this site.

It can only be flagged or deleted after it's been seen.

I can send as many of these messages as I want to a live audience.

@dang doesn't even know how to code.

All he can do is ban the account, but I can just create another.

They can ban the IP, but I can switch to a 2nd one. They only ban 1 IP at a time.

I can say whatever I want here and there's nothing anyone at HackerNews can do about it :)

There seems to be a precedent with tech companies that if you do a lot of illegal stuff in the beginning you can count on either failing before it matters or you can buy your way out of the consequences. Bonus points if you induce regulatory capture to make sure no one else can follow in your footsteps.

Please HN do your thing and prove me wrong or tell me the benefits to society outweigh the cons, because otherwise it's a depressing take.

Downloading pirated material isn't illegal in the U.S., sharing it is.

Meta and ethical practice can’t be in one sentence.

Can we all agree to boycott these fuckers' services by now?

Instead use Chinese AI which pirated the same?

so that is what boycotting means - going to china eh? nice, count me in!

and between china and facebook, it is coin toss but I’d go with china :)

"they trust me, dumb fucks" - mark zuckerburg