A recent bill proposed in the Illinois State Senate would make anonymous website forums reveal their true identities or risk having their content taken down.
Although not technically an issue of copyright, it does tie into our discussion of authorship. Our unalienable right to free speech has come under-attack, yet again, on the internet. I am of the belief that our right to anonymity and privacy is an all important aspect of what makes this country great. But I would like to pose the question: To what extent does free speech go? Do we all have the right to not have our words attributed to us?
I think that the bill to make anonymous website forums reveal their true identities is perhaps not a violation of first amendment rights, but it certainly is concerning that the government would start mandating things on the internet. Since I think it’s possible to publish something printed anonymously, the same right should be extended to the internet. Even though the government is probably concerned about safety and national security, it does seem extreme that they would want to infringe upon our rights on the internet.
This is an interesting aspect of free speech. Usually people associate free speech with being able to say whatever they want. However, in this case, the issue of being anonymous about it is at question. Do people have the right to say what they want but not take responsibility for it? After all, wouldn’t requiring people to give their identity make them think twice about what they say? It is likely that we will hear more about this issue in future blog posts later on.
I think it’s really shocking that this is happening. The government is constantly creating new laws that really do nothing but put a strain on our freedom. I think that if a person wants their words to be written anonymously on a website forum, then for goodness sake let them do it.
I agree with freedom of speech of course, But the article says “upon request” so first of all administrators are not required to take the post down if they do not state their identities it is simply by their opinion. Therefore if there is a “heckler” in a blog making inappropriate or racist comments posting as “anonymous,” the administrator can simply delete their post instead of some jack@$$ thinking he can get away with demoralizing cultures while sitting behind a computer in his moms basement. I do believe the law is a little problematic as the administrator can delete any truthful posts that may jeopardize the sites reputation. But the law is beneficial in that it will detract jerks.
This isn’t an aspect of free speech that is usually thought of but I agree that this bill is an infringement upon our rights. If someone desires to write something using anonymity they have the right to do so. Some topics are sensitive and individuals want to spread their ideas with the freedom of not worrying about putting a black mark on their name.