Lawmaker Wants to Ban Anonymous Online Postings

posted by DrewWilson in technology // 131 days 1 hour 1 minute ago

Tim Couch, a Republican representative in the Kentucky Legislature filed a bill that would make it illegal for anyone to post online anonymously.

The bill (.doc) says that everyone who signs up with an "interactive service" must demand users full name, address and valid electronic mail address.

The bill also states that any "interactive service provider" that runs afoul of this faces a $500 fine on the first offense and a $1000 fine for each subsequent offense.

An early report suggests that the lawmaker intends to cut down on cyber-bullying and online harassment with these new laws. He concedes that enforcement of the bill would be difficult.

Of course, the proposed laws might be ill-conceived given the recently dropped case against Wikileaks which touched on anonymous postings regarding shady dealings with a bank.

At this time, it is unclear whether or not this bill has a snowballs chance in blank at passing and changing the first amendment rights of the US Constitution.

Hat tip: Privacy Digest.

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#1 Now................theres a guy [Tim Couch] we need runnin things ...... oh boy

With representatives like him .....we ARE in trouble...

posted by Hawkmtnman 130 days 23 hours 54 minutes ago
#2 I doubt that this Bill will be passed. Require sites to force it's posters to give thier name, etc.? HA! Not only can fake info be given, but what about those who choose to really give out thier real info? Can you say "Possible Identity Theft"? I think people have the right to stay anonymous if they choose too! Kinda like sayin' if you witness a crime, you no longer have the right to stay "anonymous" when you make the report.

posted by axlman 130 days 23 hours 1 minute ago
#3 i bet he's a scientologist or scientology has him in their pocket.

posted by Signa 130 days 18 hours 14 minutes ago
#4 This has got to be one of the dumbest and illogical bill ot have been thought up! isnt this close to being totalitarian or dictator like? i mean if you want to be anonymous stay that way but it want to risk identity theft and share personal info go ahead but please dont come around trying to get people to do things that are smart only from your perception!!! shit i mean this is the world wide web we are talking about!...anyways people can just think up fake names and use it like i do!! Heheh

posted by pandoraenima1 130 days 14 hours 17 minutes ago
#5 not to mention that other countries will still be anonymous. its just a stupid idea no matter what way you look at it. i cant even think of a single instance that this would be a good thing.

posted by Signa 130 days 9 hours 13 minutes ago
#6 I agree it's a Dumb Idea, however it came about from a sad story of a Louisville area 18 year old Girl whom Killed Herself after continued Harassment from Cyber Bullying and Death Threats on Her MY Space or Face Book page by Students in her H.S. that made fun of Her Small Build and liking Geeks .

As for the Bill, it will Fail but it was trying to make people aware of online preditors and punks that bring misery to some.

posted by mach -1 128 days 20 hours 23 minutes ago