Are bots illegal?
- Thread starter Tinker88
- Start date
sellingpaypal
BANNED
- Jul 15, 2015
- 29
- 3
Yes, it's illegal and FBI will track and hunt you down for using bots.
HillTopMayhem
Registered Member
- Jan 28, 2014
- 86
- 27
Depends on what you mean by 'bot'.
gs2004email
Newbie
- Dec 26, 2009
- 12
- 1
Yes, they are illegal. If you use one, plan on getting banned.
lord1027
Elite Member
- Sep 20, 2013
- 3,218
- 2,342
Depends on who you ask... no, they're not.
HoneyHelper
Elite Member
- Jun 29, 2015
- 1,521
- 403
Yes they are illigal and that's why we do not find then in walmart 
SethTurin
Failed to resolve a dispute resolution thread.
- Nov 19, 2011
- 358
- 207
Bots are NOT illegal.
Remember what a "bot" is - an automated system or tool that performs an action.
When you use one of any of the thousands of automated tools or services that people all over the world (or you) have built to perform an online action automatically, most of the time you are accessing the site or service in a way that is entirely in accordance with the law and with the terms of service (TOS) of the site or service. Generally speaking, most popular automation services that automate social sites (think of Hootsuite, for instance) are following the terms of service, but could technically be viewed as a "bot."
Likewise, if you used UBot Studio to perform an action on Twitter, you are probably in accordance with the Terms of Service. Even if you compiled an executable (uBot) and then used that, you are probably still in accordance with the Terms of Service, depending on how "automated" the actions were. But, actions that bots perform are sometimes against the Terms of Service of a website or service. And sometimes, as in the case of the CAN-SPAM act, some actions that an automated system performs is even illegal.
However, as with most "illegal" actions (think of speeding and jaywalking), there are many people performing them and only a limited number of times that they are actually harmful, and an even more limited number of times that they are going to be noticed by the sites or services in question, and an even more limited number of times that they are going to be pursued by the authorities.
Bottom line - Bots and automation are almost always necessary if you are going to get ahead in online marketing. How you use them completely determines whether or not they are breaking TOS or the law.
Remember what a "bot" is - an automated system or tool that performs an action.
When you use one of any of the thousands of automated tools or services that people all over the world (or you) have built to perform an online action automatically, most of the time you are accessing the site or service in a way that is entirely in accordance with the law and with the terms of service (TOS) of the site or service. Generally speaking, most popular automation services that automate social sites (think of Hootsuite, for instance) are following the terms of service, but could technically be viewed as a "bot."
Likewise, if you used UBot Studio to perform an action on Twitter, you are probably in accordance with the Terms of Service. Even if you compiled an executable (uBot) and then used that, you are probably still in accordance with the Terms of Service, depending on how "automated" the actions were. But, actions that bots perform are sometimes against the Terms of Service of a website or service. And sometimes, as in the case of the CAN-SPAM act, some actions that an automated system performs is even illegal.
However, as with most "illegal" actions (think of speeding and jaywalking), there are many people performing them and only a limited number of times that they are actually harmful, and an even more limited number of times that they are going to be noticed by the sites or services in question, and an even more limited number of times that they are going to be pursued by the authorities.
Bottom line - Bots and automation are almost always necessary if you are going to get ahead in online marketing. How you use them completely determines whether or not they are breaking TOS or the law.
rob1977
Power Member
- Mar 25, 2013
- 781
- 694
No bots are not illegal and are not covered by can-spam. CAN-SPAM covers email marketing but does not prohibit the use of bots but rather deceptive means so even a mailing bot is not illegal it is the means in which it is used.
So the question is really, is spam illegal? Well you better check local laws for your correct answer but in general, no they breach terms of service of some websites at some times, but that is a civil rather than criminal matter.
So the question is really, is spam illegal? Well you better check local laws for your correct answer but in general, no they breach terms of service of some websites at some times, but that is a civil rather than criminal matter.
