Internet Protection Act

Posted by Mitch Mitchell on May 28, 2012

Most of you aren’t used to my writing shorter posts, but I think this one should qualify as that, even if the video adds another 4 1/2 minutes to your pleasure. lol

In New York, there’s something new that’s been introduced in Albany that’s going after anonymous trolls online. It was introduced by two downstate state senators and it’s purpose is to “remove any comments posted on his or her website by an anonymous poster unless such anonymous poster agrees to attach his or her name to the post.”

Serious stuff. What’s my take on it? See below:

Now, what’s your opinion on this?

Tags: anonymity, Blogging, hidden names, spam, trolls

8 Comments »

The Insane Asylum (Mr. Chap):

Yeah, that’s quite interesting. I was like you at first. I thought it was a great idea, then in the next moment I wondered about people who like to remain anonymous when commenting on certain things. This bill if made into a law slowly pinches away at our rights. then of course more “language” will be added to make it more “effective”.

Nice post.

~Chap
The Insane Asylum (Mr. Chap) recently posted…ONLY IN FLORIDA: POLICE SHOOT AND KILL MAN WHO WOULDN’T STOP EATING HIS VICTIM’S FACE

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
May 28th, 2012 at 11:06 PM

Thanks Chap (I don’t usually allow names like what you listed by the way). It’s a tough one to work through because the stuff you see online at times is disgusting, and I believe those who host such sites need to be accountable for what’s on them, but having the government decide to enforce it is another thing entirely.

May 28th, 2012 | 9:38 AM

Carl:

I am more about free speech, spammers usually spam with keywords, but there are other commenting systems which allow anonymous comments. Actually you know that this isn’t my name and as well I know that your name is not Mitch Mitchell. One other thing, you live in New York state, but actually you are not blogging in New York as your blog is hosted in Pennsylvania. Those new Internet laws can’t pass in court, because the rest of the laws are not if I can call it “Internet ready”.
Carl recently posted…I want to come into the office for a free consultation, but I don’t remember everything that I owe. Can I still come in for an appointment?

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
May 28th, 2012 at 11:23 PM

Actually Carl, the “Mitchell” part is correct, and even though the hosting company might be elsewhere, I live in New York, and that’s what the law would cover so I wouldn’t be able to get away with that one. Still, it’s not whether the law will pass or not, it’s that things have gotten to this point, and based on a kneejerk reaction I could say that I see their point. Once I thought about it though it pulled me back into seeing what the danger of such a law was and I had to reverse course.

I can guarantee that type of thing will never show up here, but everywhere else? That should be interesting to see.

Carl Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 3:48 AM

That’s why I mentioned that law is ages behind the Internet era. Main reason why all torrent and sharing websites are still alive, because those are hosted overseas. By my opinion another act/law that wont exist long time, as the matter is very complicated – spam is spam, but being anonymous and trying to make a statement is different, especially when we are talking about politics. On the other hand there are probably a million websites that are developed by people in New York, who is going to check all? As you remember we’ve had similar conversation on G+ few months ago, one more thing, I am also registered with author name Carl at new snippet recognizer.
Carl recently posted…Reselling Search Engine Optimization

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 1:42 PM

Actually Carl, they’re not all still alive, as the U.S. government shut down 5 of them and put many others on notice. Don’t think anyone is safe from the U.S. government when it wants to get them, including us. Course, it’s slightly different in the states, and you’re right in a way in that it might be hard to find everyone in New York to get them and their blogs. But they will get the prominent people and even at my ranking, it’s considered prominent in a way.

May 28th, 2012 | 10:58 PM

Charles Gulotta:

I don’t see how they can enforce a law like this, Mitch. Couldn’t someone just make up a real-sounding name and hide behind that? Who’s going to spend the time it would take to truly verify a person’s name?

Great to see you on video again. Hope all is well.

– George Washington Gulotta
Charles Gulotta recently posted…On Being Neurotic (Part 1) (Will I Have Enough for Two Parts?) (Who Am I Kidding?)

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
May 31st, 2012 at 12:21 PM

Thanks Charles. I don’t think it has a chance to pass or be signed by the governor if it was passed, but over the last two years many states have passed many laws that my mind never believed could be passed anywhere so I’m not betting my life on it. Still, the implication that people would even think about it is somewhat scary.

May 31st, 2012 | 9:59 AM

If you like this post, why not donate to the cause? :-)

Before you leave a reply; please see the comment policy if this is your first visit. This blog doesn't accept keyword names. I need a real first name or a legitimate nickname that you're known for. If your name has more than 3 words or the email address begins with "info", the comment automatically goes to the spam filter; same if there are any links in the comment. If your comment goes to spam for any of these reasons, or any other reason listed in this post, it's probably never showing up on the blog (I do forgive the link issue if you've commented on the blog previously). If it goes there for any other reason (and I know some do), I'll pull it out as I don't intentionally moderate any comments on this blog.

One last thing; if your link is an affiliate link or goes back to a strange website or webpage I don't like, if I keep your comment I'll remove your link. That's why I have CommentLuv for blogs; if you have a legitimate business just leave that link & no sub-links. Trust me, it's best to read the comment policy if you don't get it, or never see your comments showing up here.

I'm Just Sharing