Internet Defamation Suit Tests Online Anonymity

[Dubh Aingeal]

Reuters reports that two women at Yale Law School have filed suit for defamation and infliction of emotional distress against an administrator and 28 anonymous posters on AutoAdmit (a.k.a. Xoxohth), a popular law student discussion site. Experts are watching to see if the suit will unmask the posters, who are identified in the complaint only by their pseudonyms. Since AutoAdmit's administrators have previously said that they do not retain IP logs of posters, identifying the defendants may test the limits of the legal system and anonymity on the Internet. So far, one method tried was to post the summons on the message board itself and ask the defendants to step forward. The controversy that leading to this lawsuit is here.

[Onyx]

Interesting.

This could affect a lot of things and set a precedent for a lot of other cases. It'll be fascinating to see what is decided.

[know_buddy_kares]

Wow I've never used my real name on the internet just due to the fact that I know employers can look this sort of thing up. But to take somoene elses real name and tarnish it on a publick forum is rediculously immature. Also, it's sad that an employer can't see that it could just as easily be people talking out of their ass behind the victim's back. One simple law could change all this though. Employers are not allowed to do online searches for people they have appications and/or resumes from. I mean come on seriously, why the fuck should they care what you do on your own time as long as you are there on time, get the job done right, and have a work history written on an application that can prove this? That's all they fucking need. Personally, I wouldn't wanna get turned down because some idiot employer sees pictures of me with swords dressed they way I am on myspace. It has nothing to do with how I'd act present myself at work. That's my off time, my fun time, NOT my on the clock time. Yet, anyone who would act like me (and most of you) on myspace while giving their full real name on there are fucking idiots to begin with...

[torn asunder]

But to take somoene elses real name and tarnish it on a publick forum is rediculously immature.

you've got to be kidding me... so, i guess it's ok to blast people/a community as long as you're anonymous?

[know_buddy_kares]

you've got to be kidding me... so, i guess it's ok to blast people/a community as long as you're anonymous?

no no no, that's not what i meant... um I'm going to try to explain better but it's getting tricky to me for some reason...

Ok, lets say I start flaming you on here, spreading all sorts of volitile rumors, but I use your net name of torn_asunder instead of your real name. One, any employer to see this should know that I'm just being a hot head, and it's all he said she said bullshit, it's so freakin common of a thing on the internet that anyone in their right mind can't take it seriously.

However, If I knew and used your full real name to spread nasty rumors about you... then that's a whole different story, cuz instead of the anonymous vs anonymous, it's the anonymous ruining someone's real name, that will have effects on their real life. That's not cool. I would never discredit someone's real name on a whim, they'd have to be into something very bad, like a seriously fucked up felony like rape, murder, grand larsony and the sorts, and I'd have to know this beond a shadow of a doubt. And still, I'd take this information to the authorities as well instead of just flaming this shit online.

I've been saying it for a while now, you can't take anything you see on the internet seriously, but when it gets serious like that than yes, i belive these people posting libel and associating it with a real person's name should be found out and dealt with, see how they like it when they get a taste of their own medicine and are raped of their own anonymous status.

I'll admit I've flamed on the net, hell we all have at some point, it's that anonymous status that gives us a way to say it how we truely feel it or see it, even if it's misinformed at the time, and vent some stress and bullshit from life out.

[Msterbeau]

I think the internet, and especially forums like ours, would be a much different place without anonymity.

[know_buddy_kares]

I think the internet, and especially forums like ours, would be a much different place without anonymity.

That's pretty neutral of a statement, yes it would be different, but do you think this difference would be more positive or negative?

I think it would yeild a positive result in some situations like making it extremely more difficult for certain crimes to be done such as what Crank posted in the other thread involving child porn.

But at the same time, It would take away alot of the positive feedback, taking away anonymous status means gaining control, and it would be alot harder for people to feel safe expressing their freedom of speech. It would be like having to show your damn driver's license to everyone you cross where ever you go. I don't know about you but I really wouldn't want to have to show my drivers license to every asshole I come across on the streets.

[Msterbeau]

That's pretty neutral of a statement, yes it would be different, but do you think this difference would be more positive or negative?

I didn't mean for it to be neutral. I personally feel that anonymity gives people a license to be assholes and behave in ways they never would face to face. Kinda like in cars. I totally get that there should be some forums and places where anonymity is needed. (Can you say protesters in China?) But I think it would be a much better (ie. more civil) if people had to post as themselves.

[Onyx]

I didn't mean for it to be neutral. I personally feel that anonymity gives people a license to be assholes and behave in ways they never would face to face. Kinda like in cars. I totally get that there should be some forums and places where anonymity is needed. (Can you say protesters in China?) But I think it would be a much better (ie. more civil) if people had to post as themselves.

This is very very true.

Also, sometimes we tend to forget that as you get to know people, it tends to bleed into "real life" and words can and do come back to haunt you. I've experienced it myself and learned to be much more careful what I say online.

The internet isn't just words on a page. There are real people behind the thoughts and words.

It can affect your life in many ways, some of them quite positive. I've gotten jobs, RL friends, found my house online, and lots of other positive things. The hospital I worked for in Florida even sent their employees home to work because of it (fantastic work perk). As time goes on I predict it will become more and more a part of most people's lives.

[torn asunder]

However, If I knew and used your full real name to spread nasty rumors about you... then that's a whole different story, cuz instead of the anonymous vs anonymous, it's the anonymous ruining someone's real name, that will have effects on their real life. That's not cool. I would never discredit someone's real name on a whim, they'd have to be into something very bad, like a seriously fucked up felony like rape, murder, grand larsony and the sorts, and I'd have to know this beond a shadow of a doubt. And still, I'd take this information to the authorities as well instead of just flaming this shit online.

you mean like using dgn's real name while remaining anonymous?

[know_buddy_kares]

you mean like using dgn's real name while remaining anonymous?

nevermind.. you're not getting it.

[Msterbeau]

This discussion, and especially Onyx's comments, remind me that some people have said: "Who cares ... it's just an internet forum." In one sense, that's true, but ultimately there is a human at the other end of those words being typed. Someone with emotions and feelings. Someone who has good days and bad days. How hard is it to remember that and display a little empathy and tact?

Thinking about this further.. I'm left wondering how much rude online behavior is starting to work it's way back into real life?

[torn asunder]

nevermind.. you're not getting it.

oh, i totally get it - i think perhaps you're missing *my* point...

[know_buddy_kares]

oh, i totally get it - i think perhaps you're missing *my* point...

No I get your point, I just don't agree with it. Unless you're trying to hint at something in the past...