SF man allegedly hacked iPad users' data

Prosecutors have accused two men of hacking AT&T; Inc.'s computer servers to steal the e-mail addresses and personal data of about 120,000 iPad users.

Daniel Spitler, 26, of San Francisco and Andrew Auernheimer, 25, of Fayetteville, Ark., were charged with breaches that occurred in June. Both are associated with Goatse Security, "a loose association" of hackers and trolls - people who disrupt Internet service, according to a complaint filed in federal court in Newark, N.J.

"Hacking is not a competitive sport, and security breaches are not a game," U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said at a news conference in Newark. "It's like what people might perceive as stealing for a joyride. It can start out looking like a prank, but it can quickly become more malicious."

The men are charged with conspiracy to access a computer without authorization and fraud in connection with personal information. They face up to five years in prison on each count. Spitler surrendered Tuesday to the FBI and appeared in federal court in Newark, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Claire Cecchi set bail at $50,000.

Auernheimer appeared in federal court in Fayetteville, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Setser ordered him detained pending a bail hearing on Friday.

This article appeared on page D - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle