New York State legislature has been handed a bill that would ban anonymous commenting online, in an effort to prevent cyber bullying. The legislation would require that all New York based online publications delete comments where the commenter did not post with a user name. It would also require the website to have a phone number or email listed for takedown requests. The bill has not been voted on, but the it could potentially stamp out all anonymous online speech in the state of New York.
This bill treads very closely to a violation of free speech, which is a fundamental right given to ALL Americans, that means…even Americans who started websites in New York. It would also take away one of the key trademarks of the internet: anonymity. You may hate those anonymous trolls and their piffy comments about your vlog, but who is the New York state government to impose on their right to free speech? Free speech is a fundamental right that should be protected, even if that speech is anonymous and online.
This is the worst idea ever! The government is going to hell! This site has gone to hell! Anarchy!!!
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Completely agree with @twitter-44818738:disqus . Free speech wasn’t created to enable a bunch of online cowards. If you don’t believe enough in what you say to be held accountable for it, then there’s probably a reason why. Its not like people can’t say what they want still, but at least people can be held accountable for the things they do say. Even meanness isn’t illegal, but slander is and if more and more people are on the internet controls are naturally going to happen
I Love free speech, but what I love more is people owning up to the things they say. If you’re afraid of persecution and retribution, then don’t say it.