Anonymous Posts? Not in New Jersey!

[Sarah]

There's a ridiculous bill up in New Jersey right now. If passed, it will require posters to provide a legal name and address before posting in forums.

The operator of any interactive computer service or an Internet service provider shall establish, maintain and enforce a policy to require any information content provider who posts written messages on a public forum website either to be identified by a legal name and address, or to register a legal name and address with the operator of the interactive computer service or the Internet service provider through which the information content provider gains access to the interactive computer service or Internet, as appropriate.

Read more here

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I, personally, see this as an infringing on freedom of speech/press. It's true that in the Bill of Rights it does not mention if anonymity is included. However, it doesn't specifically prohibit anonymous speech, either. If a person wants to be anonymous for protection when speaking their mind, they should be allowed to be. Thoughts conveyed on the internet are not any different.

Also, I don't know how much they think they can actually accomplish with this. It will only effect those who post and host in New Jersey. It won't "protect" them from anyone outside of New Jersey.

It would also detour people from hosting their sites in New Jersey and would generally be bad for the market there.

What is everyones thoughts on this?

[Sasquatch]

I don't see a problem with it, except that the people that do illegal things online aren't going to provide their real address. I don't think it's an infringement of any rights, but it's impractical and ineffective.

[postalblowfish7]

i think it's absolutely ludicrous. the internet is none of the government's ****ing business - it's a WORLDWIDE community, and they don't have the power to tell websites what to do - especially on the state level. their pathetic attempt to flex their puny legislative muscles is laughable and dismissible.

[Sasquatch]

Alright, I'm changing my stance. I do see a problem with rights. I don't know why I said that earlier, forgive me.

My guess is, some state senator read some nasty stuff about him on the internet and wants to get to the bottom of it.

This would cause more problems than it could ever help, though. What's next, a legally verifiable address for every email account? It's a public forum, there's absolutely nothing wrong with anonymous posts. And I damn sure don't want somebody I piss off in a forum (because let's face it, there are plenty) to hack into it, steal my address, and start trying to track me down or harass me.

EDIT: Since it's not enough to make a new post, Postalblowfish7's post immediately after this one reminded me of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Somebody talks about the internet, and it's funny, and accurate. And relevant to this issue.

[postalblowfish7]

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

This would cause more problems than it could ever help, though. What's next, a legally verifiable address for every email account? It's a public forum, there's absolutely nothing wrong with anonymous posts. And I damn sure don't want somebody I piss off in a forum (because let's face it, there are plenty) to hack into it, steal my address, and start trying to track me down or harass me.

ayeaye - not to mention the organizational nightmare it would cause webmasters. i can understand porn sites having to have records proving their sluts.. er i'm sorry 'actors' are all over the age of 18, but the internet is fair game for anonymous posting of meaningless words and rants. i mean, it's the anonymous nature of the internet that makes it so fun and unguarded.