Austria Considers Requiring Real Names for Online Comments

[Cossack Khanate]

I think that these kind of measures can only work in practical dictatorships like NK or *ahem* China. In a democracy? This is a breach of rights. Surveillance of criminal activity is one thing, mandatory openness is another.

[TURTLESHROOM II]

Anonymity protects the user from retaliation and danger when he wrongs someone or says something "politically incorrect", among other things both petty and serious. It's the same reason we don't disclose individual donators to political campaigns. It protects the privacy and location of the user and is invaluable in that sense.

Besides, how would Austria enforce this on websites that are not hosted in Austria?

[Duhon]

Works for China, Citizen. Now submit.

Yes, but China's had the infrastructure and the state fueled by terror for decades, Austria's just starting. I doubt we'll see Social Credit in Vienna any time soon.

Less social credit, more indiscreet terror for those stepping out of line in today's regressing Austria.

[Duhon]

For the authorities maybe. The problem I’m seeing with this is that this could potentially be exploited by the unscrupulous for doxxing and blackmailing people.

The authorities can already track an IP address. This is basically a power grab on behalf of media types.

... to think today's Austrian government is appreciative of "media types".

[Duhon]

Anonymity protects the user from retaliation and danger when he wrongs someone or says something "politically incorrect", among other things both petty and serious. It's the same reason we don't disclose individual donators to political campaigns. It protects the privacy and location of the user and is invaluable in that sense.

Besides, how would Austria enforce this on websites that are not hosted in Austria?

The Great Österriech Firewall, methinks.

[The New California Republic]

It could even be possible to make some comments while pretending to be someone else, with the intent of trying to smear said person. I don't see how such a thing could be prevented in the proposed system.

I’ve only looked at the proposal briefly but I agree with your take.

Say for example someone uses my name and address (both of which are fairly easily obtainable nowadays) to create an account on a forum, with which they post links to terrorist material. When that shit is reported to the police, it would be nigh on impossible for me to prove conclusively that I'm innocent. It'd be impossible for the police to prove my guilt conclusively either, but the damage would already be done by that point; as I'd be getting interviewed by the police, and my employer would likely get wind of the whole thing and sack me, and my friends and family would be questioning whether I'm telling the truth or not; regardless of being entirely innocent.

[Shrillland]

Anonymity protects the user from retaliation and danger when he wrongs someone or says something "politically incorrect", among other things both petty and serious. It's the same reason we don't disclose individual donators to political campaigns. It protects the privacy and location of the user and is invaluable in that sense.

Besides, how would Austria enforce this on websites that are not hosted in Austria?

According to the Der Standard article, there isn't much they can do, especially when websites start leaving in droves for Germany because they won't pay the cost of having a government relations liaison or the €100,000 fine for not having one. This isn't the first assault they've made, either. Already, all Austrian SIM cards have to be registered with a photo ID.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

If I could raise a point here, wouldn't this disrupt the Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory?

By doing so lead to a cleaner and more pleasant internet and the breaking down of echo chambers? Thus leading to a much more smarter and happier populis able to reject convenient half truths in the name of ideology?

[Torrocca]

If I could raise a point here, wouldn't this disrupt the Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory?

By doing so lead to a cleaner and more pleasant internet and the breaking down of echo chambers? Thus leading to a much more smarter and happier populis able to reject convenient half truths in the name of ideology?

(Image)

Counterpoint: Facebook.

[Shrillland]

If I could raise a point here, wouldn't this disrupt the Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory?

By doing so lead to a cleaner and more pleasant internet and the breaking down of echo chambers? Thus leading to a much more smarter and happier populis able to reject convenient half truths in the name of ideology?

(Image)

The cost of people's privacy is too great to allow disruption in such a manner, no matter how it would improve or damage the internet.

[The Galactic Liberal Democracy]

So I said that China is the real Australia viewtopic.php?f=20&t=462261 but now China and Australia are adopting the same law. Maybe China IS Australia.

[Outer Sparta]

How is this even possible to enforce? If the government knows your name is "Hans Zimmerman" but your online name is something else?

[The New California Republic]

How is this even possible to enforce? If the government knows your name is "Hans Zimmerman" but your online name is something else?

It's impossible to enforce. This proposed law is created by people who clearly don't have the slightest fucking clue as to how the internet works.

[The Galactic Liberal Democracy]

How is this even possible to enforce? If the government knows your name is "Hans Zimmerman" but your online name is something else?

They will find Hans and kill him

[Duhon]

I’ve only looked at the proposal briefly but I agree with your take.

Say for example someone uses my name and address (both of which are fairly easily obtainable nowadays) to create an account on a forum, with which they post links to terrorist material. When that shit is reported to the police, it would be nigh on impossible for me to prove conclusively that I'm innocent. It'd be impossible for the police to prove my guilt conclusively either, but the damage would already be done by that point; as I'd be getting interviewed by the police, and my employer would likely get wind of the whole thing and sack me, and my friends and family would be questioning whether I'm telling the truth or not; regardless of being entirely innocent.

Ergo, at least one suffers, the masses are riled up, the people up top get their fill of sadistic gratification, ad nauseam.

[Shrillland]

How is this even possible to enforce? If the government knows your name is "Hans Zimmerman" but your online name is something else?

Just because you change your online name on a site doesn't mean your account changes completely. I'm guessing that's the principle to be applied.

[Outer Sparta]

How is this even possible to enforce? If the government knows your name is "Hans Zimmerman" but your online name is something else?

They will find Hans and kill him

DAMN YOU HANS!

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

If I could raise a point here, wouldn't this disrupt the Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory?

By doing so lead to a cleaner and more pleasant internet and the breaking down of echo chambers? Thus leading to a much more smarter and happier populis able to reject convenient half truths in the name of ideology?

Counterpoint: Facebook.

Because there is a resistance to enforcing any sort of action on FB posts.

That's why they can't just take down anti vaxxer groups who spread misinformation and lies to the benefit of a few scam artists at the top. Also why calls to violence on facebook stay up.

Because no consequences. The hard truth is, consequences need to be doled out.

If I could raise a point here, wouldn't this disrupt the Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory?

By doing so lead to a cleaner and more pleasant internet and the breaking down of echo chambers? Thus leading to a much more smarter and happier populis able to reject convenient half truths in the name of ideology?

The cost of people's privacy is too great to allow disruption in such a manner, no matter how it would improve or damage the internet.

It wouldn't just be an improved internet, it would be an improved democracy by disbanding echo chambers and increase society's ability to diagnose problems.

Kojima warned us, its either we have real names and consequences now or surender total freedom to an AI later.

[Outer Sparta]

How is this even possible to enforce? If the government knows your name is "Hans Zimmerman" but your online name is something else?

Just because you change your online name on a site doesn't mean your account changes completely. I'm guessing that's the principle to be applied.

It's still dumb anyway that this is even proposed.

[TURTLESHROOM II]

Less social credit, more indiscreet terror for those stepping out of line in today's regressing Austria.

Wait, Austria is regressing? Hot dog! Habsberg Restoration WHEN?!

[Shrillland]

Less social credit, more indiscreet terror for those stepping out of line in today's regressing Austria.

Wait, Austria is regressing? Hot dog! Habsberg Restoration WHEN?!

Nothing so glorious. This is just going back to the Austrofascist days of Dolfuss, Schuschnigg, and the Fatherland Front.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Counterpoint: Facebook.

Because there is a resistance to enforcing any sort of action on FB posts.

That's why they can't just take down anti vaxxer groups who spread misinformation and lies to the benefit of a few scam artists at the top. Also why calls to violence on facebook stay up.

Because no consequences. The hard truth is, consequences need to be doled out.

The cost of people's privacy is too great to allow disruption in such a manner, no matter how it would improve or damage the internet.

It wouldn't just be an improved internet, it would be an improved democracy by disbanding echo chambers and increase society's ability to diagnose problems.

Kojima warned us, its either we have real names and consequences now or surender total freedom to an AI later.

Consequences that potentially put you at risk with your personal information? Are you seriously suggesting this is an acceptable consequence of the potential implementation of such a proposal? I understand the desire to get those who post hate speech but this can easily lend itself to abuse and can put innocent people at risk. Think this through.

[Duhon]

Wait, Austria is regressing? Hot dog! Habsberg Restoration WHEN?!

Nothing so glorious. This is just going back to the Austrofascist days of Dolfuss, Schuschnigg, and the Fatherland Front.

... b-but at least this Austria can't get Anschluss'd now! Hooray for sovereignty!

[Abarri]

How is this even possible to enforce? If the government knows your name is "Hans Zimmerman" but your online name is something else?

It's impossible to enforce. This proposed law is created by people who clearly don't have the slightest fucking clue as to how the internet works.

Hence my distrust for a lot of current politicans; they don't seem to know technology that well.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

Because there is a resistance to enforcing any sort of action on FB posts.

That's why they can't just take down anti vaxxer groups who spread misinformation and lies to the benefit of a few scam artists at the top. Also why calls to violence on facebook stay up.

Because no consequences. The hard truth is, consequences need to be doled out.




It wouldn't just be an improved internet, it would be an improved democracy by disbanding echo chambers and increase society's ability to diagnose problems.

Kojima warned us, its either we have real names and consequences now or surender total freedom to an AI later.

Consequences that potentially put you at risk with your personal information? Are you seriously suggesting this is an acceptable consequence of the potential implementation of such a proposal? I understand the desire to get those who post hate speech but this can easily lend itself to abuse and can put innocent people at risk. Think this through.

It's a drastic measure for shure, and one not without downsides.

But look what anonymity did for us. Anti vax misinformation spreading and growing. Echo chambers using emotions and half truths to blot out truth.

Convenient half truths being used as an excuse to not diagnose and treat actual issues with society.

ANFTA and the Alt Right where born from anonymity, echo chambers and half truths. How many dead? How many injured? How much property damage from these two groups?