Chatroulette collecting IP addresses, screenshots

Jul 27, 2010 3:02 PM
Tags: chatroulette | security | privacy | ip | address | screenshot

Bid to crack down on indecent exposures.

The founder of online video chat-room sensation 'Chatroulette' has revealed the company has been storing the IP addresses and even taking screenshots of users engaged in inappropriate conduct whilst connected to the service.

Chatroulette, for those unfamiliar, is a site where users are randomly connected to one of the tens of thousands of people also using the site via their webcam and microphone.

As discovered by iTnews' unfortunate mascot Coco earlier this year, the concept caught on among netizens at lightning speed, but all too often users were turned off after being connected to pranksters out to shock or disgust random strangers.

Now Andrey Ternovskiy, chief executive officer at Chatroulette has had enough.

"I believe that Chatroulette was great in the first honeymoon days after it was launched, before it was discovered by a strange people, who started to abuse the true freedom and democratic nature of the service," he wrote on the site's blog, upset at "difficulties raising venture capital", dealing with "negative feedback" and doing what he could to ensure the site was still "legally operating in the United States territory."

Ternovskiy said that he has had a "breakthrough" in dealing with these dramas by applying "the laws of a real world on an internet application."

"We've started collecting information, such as IP addresses, logs and screen captures of offenders who actually break US/UN laws by broadcasting inappropriate content in a specific situations," he said.

"We've captured and saved thousands of IP addresses of alleged offenders, along with logs and screenshots which prove wrong behaviour.

"We are initiating a conversation with enforcement agencies and we are willing to provide all the information we have."


  • Email a Friend
  • Print Page
Chatroulette collecting IP addresses, screenshots
"Why bother? Just like being squashed up with a total stranger on a crowded train.. Same opportunities, problems and risks. Who needs it"
 
 
Comments: 3
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
ITrant
Jul 30, 2010 10:59 AM
Sounds like scare tactics. Probably can't get any venture capital without cleaning up their act. The internet can be tricky business. Remove the 'random element' and likely the popularity will drop and then you won't get backing. The real world sucks, doesn't it?
njohnson
Aug 1, 2010 2:06 AM
Vtring.com had already incorporated IP banning about 6 months ago. It has banned over 1000 visitors just in its first month.
Pilotyoda
Aug 1, 2010 2:55 PM
Why bother?
Just like being squashed up with a total stranger on a crowded train.. Same opportunities, problems and risks.
Who needs it
Comment:
Want to participate in the discussion?
Or log in now to comment
 
 
 
Top Stories
Analysis: Net gambling next on ISP filter hitlist?
Stakeholders brand online gambling laws ineffective.
 
NBN3 Wireless plan needs 4G spectrum fast-track
Dark fibre and wireless coalition issues new proposal.
 
Server patch blamed for Westpac outage
Back-up processes keep business customers online.
 

Latest VideosSee all videos »

Latest Comments
"My father who lives in a suburban metropolitan area of Melbourne would like his phone line AND ..."
by midspace Sep 6, 2010 11:36 AM
 
"On the user side, the main issue is a lack of Routers avaiable for average consumer that support ..."
by midspace Sep 6, 2010 11:23 AM
 
"1) Surely the certifaction providers (Pearson, Prometric etc) have a copy of these vouchers that ..."
by dave68IT Sep 6, 2010 11:10 AM
 
"@rdefcon1, NBNCo has displayed fiscal prudence throughout, perhaps because it was isolated from ..."
by umbria Sep 6, 2010 10:38 AM
 
"speach no peach"
by Ice Sep 6, 2010 10:28 AM
Polls
Was sacking four Victorian police officers for inappropriate email use too harsh?

   |   View results
Yes
  55%
 
No
  45%
TOTAL VOTES: 121

Vote