In an interesting news story this past week, Trash-talking anonymous bloggers should take heed of recent case or face suit, a blogger was identified by Google as the person behind the online defamation of a Canadian model.
Privacy is a funny thing, we all want it (well at least the vast majority do), but we do very different things with it, and some people really do abuse it. Anonymity can bring out some very undesirable character traits. It’s like the pack mentality in a riot, people who would normally not participate in certain acts, do so because of a feeling of anonymity within the crowd.
Likewise, the semblance of anonymity online allows people to do and say things they normally would not. That’s not always a negative thing, whistle blowers and watch dogs could become political (or worse) targets for those being brought to justice.
But anonymity in daily blogs and such, well, to me it’s a case of… if you wouldn’t say it out loud to people you know…perhaps it’s best left unsaid.
The internet is a vast collection of information that never goes away. Case in point: I wrote a letter to the North Shore News many years ago when we were battling a street closure that severely impacted our condo unit. That letter was published in the paper and after a long and nasty battle with District, the block was partially removed and life went back to almost normal. But that letter is still out there, I can find it with a relatively simple search. Even if you write something and then delete it… or if someone else writes something and deletes it…. there is still a cache out there somewhere and you can still find it.
I’m all for privacy, but there are certain aspects of my life that are forever out there. Because I have published in scientific journals and written for a couple of government bodies, teach online courses for UBC, volunteer for several groups etc… a quick Google search of my name brings up all sorts of things.
So what’s the big deal about privacy? Everything you do every day leaves a trail. If it’s something you don’t want the general population to know about you, keep your mouth shut and your fingers to yourself and off the keyboard.
That said… for some stupid reason I have an issue with getting a Nexxus pass to cross the border more easily. Why? Because it involves being finger printed. I have no reasonable reason to not be printed… it just bothers me to have my finger prints on a database somewhere….
Do I agree with the ruling that forced Google to identify the blogger? You bet I do! If you write a letter to the editor and hope to have it published, you need to identify yourself. If you verbally defame someone, you are liable. I think the internet has made it too simple for people to make unjustified attacks and get away with them. Anonymity allows people to carry out written vindictive assaults without accountability. To me it is another indication of the general trend towards lack of personal responsibility. We are all responsible for our actions and should be held accountable for the manner in which we present our views. By all means, do present your views, but do it in a socially acceptable and reasonable manner.