New York Senate bill seeks to end anonymous internet posting

[Sashan]

Anonymity is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the United States was founded, in part, thanks to Thomas Paine's anonymously written, pro-revolution pamphlet Common Sense. On the other hand, 12-year-olds who post anonymously on the internet can be rather unpleasant and cause real problems by cyberbullying. Whether you think the good outweighs the bad, this news is troubling indeed: A far-reaching bill introduced in the New York State Senate could end the practice of posting online once and for all.


Sen. Thomas F. O'Mara / NY SenateIntroduced by New York State Sen. Thomas F. O'Mara (R—Big Flats), S6779 would require that any anonymous post online is subject to removal if the poster refuses to post — and verify — their legal name, their IP address, and their home address. From the (likely well intentioned) bill:

"A web site administrator upon request shall remove any comments posted on his or her web site by an anonymous poster unless such anonymous poster agrees to attach his or her name to the post and confirms that his or her IP address, legal name, and home address are accurate. All web site administrators shall have a contact number or e-mail address posted for such removal requests, clearly visible in any sections where comments are posted."

Critics are quick to point out how dangerous and ineffective the anti-privacy bill would be in the off chance that it somehow passes. After all, IP addresses do nothing to verify a person's identity, and including your home address on a controversial internet post could open you up to real-life threats.

In effect, the bill is an online stalker's dream. Of course, the most likely result of the bill's passage would just be the full-scale elimination of all comment systems everywhere, because the system is an unworkable burden on both the poster and the "web site administrators" who would need to respond to ludicrous take down requests at all times of the day.


New York Senate bill seeks to end anonymous internet posting | Today in Tech - Yahoo! News


Let some of the New York members get ready to handover your information to our Webmaster.

 

[somebozo]

wow..that is soooo China like?? i thought america was about freedom...how many people would like their identity disclosed on the internet?

 

[longyi]

(sign) That goes to show nothing is perfect in this world. In a way I'm for the new law if it's enacted but then it'll throw away the freedom of speech argument. At the end I still believe a kid under 12 is not mature enough to let his/her opinion be heard in the treacherous world of Internet.

To PDK: Being a New Yorker I attest myself, ahead of the impending law, that I'm 12 years and 2 months old.

 

[Sashan]

I am doubtful this bill will pass the senate.

On a lighter note,

New York members - "No more trolling for you" (think about soup nazi tone when you read these words)

 

[Vassnti]

Perhaps not for each post, but think all the work it would save Webby if everyone signing up to PDF had to provide an authenticated address and name. No more multiple accounts, fewer suicide trolls no false flags, he might like the idea

Besides if you think any thing is truly anonymous on the net

 

[Developereo]

Faking IP addresses is a piece of cake. So, what's to stop trollers from using someone else's name and home address; especially someone they want to get in trouble or just get harassed?

The internet's version of, "Hello, Pizza Hut, I'd like to order ten large supreme pizzas delivered to ...."

 

[Sashan]

Perhaps not for each post, but think all the work it would save Webby if everyone signing up to PDF had to provide an authenticated address and name. No more multiple accounts, fewer suicide trolls no false flags, he might like the idea

Besides if you think any thing is truly anonymous on the net

But that is restricted to only a few members though other cities and states in U.S will mimic this bill if this passes through.

Faking IP addresses is a piece of cake. So, what's to stop trollers from using someone else's name and home address; especially someone they want to get in trouble or just get harassed?

The internet's version of, "Hello, Pizza Hut, I'd like to order ten large supreme pizzas delivered to ...."

But atleast it will deter most of the members in NY

 

[Hack-Hook]

well it show that how much illiterate is this Sen. Thomas F. O'Mara about how internet works.
by the way I wonder how for example a web administrator is supposed to check and verify the Identity of somebody from Nigeria who use some anonymity service ?

 

[SinoChallenger]

The USA government cannot handle the growing ranks of occupy protestors anymore.

 

[Hulk]

Good thing, it should be done across the world.