spinfocalypse - Latest Comments in Should anonymous people be allowed to conduct business?

Re: Should anonymous people be allowed to conduct business?

Daniel Andrlik — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:56:30 -0000

Hmm, I realize that anonymity is part of net culture, but honestly the older I get the less I like it. In addition, once you invoke the legal system, expecting to remain anonymous is ridiculous. If someone were to choose to take legal action against me, I had better be provided with information on who my accuser is, and a handle isn't going to cut it.

I don't think that a network has to restrict anonymous handles from business, but expecting ANY anonymity when you invoke a legal action is ridiculous.

The harassment issue is a negative side affect, but its not anything new. There's always the danger of retribution, and that's something that should be dealt with at the original socnet, or if it spreads beyond that however else you go about it. Harassment happens, its a real issue that I don't have the answer for.

Re: Should anonymous people be allowed to conduct business?

Dayngr — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:39:02 -0000

In this particular instance I say NO. What happened here was obviously reeeeeeaaaallly wrong and individual A needs to take extreme measures if necessary to stop the harrassment from B.

However, in a more general case, I don't think everyone doing business online needs to disclose their information. If the co. is legitimate then there should be ways to reach the company without knowing everyone's names behind the scenese. Some people just aren't comfortable putting it all out there. Again, I think it depends on the business and the service. If you were a private investigator, you might not want your face and name all over your site for obvious reasons.

Hope that makes sense.

Re: Should anonymous people be allowed to conduct business?

Prokofy — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:31:40 -0000

There's a widespread belief on social networks predicated on respecting anonymity that if you commit a crime, like texture theft, you forfeit the right to your anonymity and protection of your identity.

The problem with this concept, as I can readily tell you, is that little groups of people then arrogate themselves to the idea of deciding what a "crime" is. They might be wrong about the theft -- they may not have the facts. They may not know all the circumstances. Or they might construe something as "a crime" that is in fact lawful, i.e. criticizing people on a forums.

The idea that your personal data is forfeited due to perceived offenses is repugnant, and yet it eventually prevails in communities frustrated by the inabilty to bring people to account.

I suppose you could ask that providers keep a good-faith effort not to release such data.