Harvard scholars: CFAA ambiguity endangers AI security researchers
Scobleizer · x · 2026-09-02
Harvard Berkman Klein Center affiliates warned at Black Hat that the US Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) fails to accommodate modern LLMs, exposing security researchers to prosecution.
- Legal Ambiguity: It is unclear where prompt injection crosses into illegality, especially for authorized users performing actions creators dislike.
- Precedent Impact: The 2021 Van Buren decision narrowed the CFAA, increasing uncertainty in the AI context despite intending to protect authorized access.
- Research Dilemma: Researchers struggle to define boundaries for safety testing, risking criminal charges for work that should be encouraged.
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