The freedom to say or do things on the web without being known or identified can be a good or bad thing. As a good thing, Anonymity on the web encourages the freedom of valuable expression. It’s made it possible for people to express their ideas and beliefs without fear of criticism or retaliation. People can feel free to say or do whatever they want without feeling oppressed by others.
But as a bad thing, anonymity on the Internet has caused many people a lot of pain and embarrassment. With anonymity, people can say or do mean things without getting in trouble. This unleashes a darker side of people; they can now bully, harass, and even destroy reputations without having to take responsibility. This is why so many people look into reputation management services as a way to repair their reputations on the web.
Regardless of whether you believe anonymity on the web is good or bad, a new bill introduced in the New York State Senate is still alarming. Called S6779, the proposed legislation would allow webmasters to remove anonymous posts on the internet if the poster refuses to provide their legal name, IP address, and home address. Many believe it is a violation of the First Amendment. Critics also believe it is dangerous; posting one’s home address on a controversial is simply not a good idea.
