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> We contacted one app user at random who, albeit surprised and startled by the findings, confirmed to TechCrunch that the coordinates found under their record were accurate.

So they accessed the database as well as personal information of users? Is this not a crime whether or not the database was unprotected?

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Sure seems risky to admit like this. The CFAA has been used very broadly, for example in the prosecution of Weev for accessing customer information on an unsecured AT&T server. It appears this conviction was overturned based on venue (a technicality unrelated to the CFAA), and the underlying question of the CFAA's breadth is still unknown. [1] At the very least, the author is opening himself up to prosecution — even if he ultimately could prevail.

Journalists do enjoy certain freedoms, but to my knowledge (as a former lawyer), special treatment under the CFAA isn't one of them.

1: https://www.wired.com/2014/04/att-hacker-conviction-vacated/

In the eyes of the law (or at least the courts), journalists have broader latitude in the course of investigative reporting.

Are Techcrunch writers journalists?

Yes but until that's decided in court, is this not confessing to a crime?

Until that's decided in court, there is no crime only actions that may or may not be legal.

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