As of last Thursday it is now illegal (in the US) to anonymously annoy people online. Stop and think about that for a moment. If you do something that someone else regards as an annoyance, and you don’t disclose your true identity, you can be liable for a fine or a maximum two years imprisonment.

This can only be seen as a real erosion of First Amendment rights in the US: there are often good reasons for anonymity or pseudonymity, and by demanding that people identify themselves it will dramatically reduce willingness to publish opinion.

Continue reading ““Create an e-annoyance, go to jail” — CNET” →