OMG virtual murder!!!

“Virtual killer faces real jail after murder by mouse.” “After digital divorce, Japanese woman jailed in killing of online husband’s simulated self.” “Woman arrested for killing virtual husband.” To read the headlines, and the first several paragraphs of many articles, you’d think a Japanese woman was about to face murder charges for the “death” of an online avatar. In fact, she was arrested for hacking — she used her friend’s credentials to delete his profile. Yawn. Of course, fairly reported, a story about a run-of-the-mill unauthorized access case in Japan wouldn’t have interested the international press…