Product Code Database
An anonymous post, is an entry on a textboard, anonymous bulletin board system, or other discussion forums like Internet forum, without a screen name or more commonly by using a non-identifiable pseudonym. Some online forums such as Slashdot do not allow such posts, requiring users to be registered either under their personal name or utilizing a pseudonym. Others like JuicyCampus, AutoAdmit, 2channel, and other Futaba Channel-based imageboards (such as 4chan) thrive on anonymity. Users of 4chan, in particular, interact in an anonymous and ephemeral environment that facilitates rapid generation of new trends.
The precursor to Internet forums like 2channel and 4chan were like Ayashii World and Amezou World that provided the ability for anonymous posts in Japan. These "large-scale anonymous textboards" were inspired by the Usenet culture and were primarily focused on technology, unlike their descendants. "Ayashii World"
Today, image boards receive tremendous Internet traffic from all parts of the world. In 2011, on 4chan's most popular board, /b/, there were roughly 35,000 threads and 400,000 posts created per day. At that time, that level of content was on par with YouTube. Such high traffic suggests a broad demand from Internet users for anonymous content sharing sites.
Applications like PGP utilizing techniques like private-key and public-key encryptions are also utilized by users to post content in Usenet groups and other online forums.
For example, in McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission, the Supreme Court overturned an Ohio law banning the distribution of anonymous election pamphlets, claiming that an "author's decision to remain anonymous ... is an aspect of the freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment" and that "anonymous is not a pernicious, fraudulent practice, but an honorable tradition of advocacy and of dissent", as well as a "shield" against the so-called tyranny of the majority. McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission, 514 U.S. 334 (1995). Various courts have interpreted these offline protections to extend to the online world.See, e.g., Doe v. Cahill, 884 A.2d 451 (Del. 2005); Krinsky v. Doe 6, 159 Cal. App. 4th 1154 (2008).
Identifying the author of an anonymous post may require a Doe subpoena. This involves gaining access to the IP address of the poster via the hosting website. The courts can then order an ISP to identify the subscriber to whom it had assigned said IP address. Requests for such data are almost always fruitful, though providers will often effect a finite term of data retention (in accordance with the privacy policy of each—local law may specify a minimum and/or maximum term). The usage of IP addresses has, in recent times, been challenged as a legitimate way to identify anonymous users.Keith Wagstaff, "You Are Not an IP Address, Rules Judge". Time. May 7, 2012.
On March 21, 2012, the New York State Senate introduced the bill numbered S.6779 (and A.8668) labeled as the "Internet Protection Act". It proposes the ability of a webmaster of a New York–based website to take down anonymous comments unless the original author of the comment agrees to identify themselves on the post.New York State Senate Bill no. S.6779, March 21, 2012.
Many online bulletin boards require users to be signed in to write—and, in some cases, even to read—posts. 2channel and other Futaba Channel-based image boards take an opposite stance, encouraging the anonymity, and in the case of English-language Futaba-based websites, calling those who use and "namefags" and "tripfags", respectively. As required by law, even communities such as 4chan do require the logging of IP addresses of such anonymous posters. Such data, however, can only be accessed by the particular site administrator.
Slashdot discourages anonymous posting by displaying "Anonymous Coward" as the author of each anonymous post. The mildly derogatory term is meant to chide anonymous contributors into logging in.Stephen Shankland, " Andover.Net Scoops Up Seminal Slashdot Site", CNet News, June 29, 1999. (Stating that the term "Anonymous Coward" was popularized by Slashdot.)
Anonymous computer communication has also been linked to accentuate self-stereotyping. Although it has been linked to notable effects in gender differences, only when the topic bears similarity and fits with the gender stereotype.
A 2015 study suggested that anonymous news comment sections are more susceptible to uncivil comments, especially those directed at other users. Anonymous news comment section users are also more likely to be impolite by either being sarcastic and casting aspersions.
With regard to a recent hostile subpoena in California, commentators have asked if there will be a "Layfield & Barrett effect" chilling job review posting free speech.http://lawandmore.typepad.com/law_and_more/2016/05/anonymous-posting-will-there-be-a-layfield-barrett-effect.html Law and More: Deconstructing What Happens In Law, May 17, 2016, Anonymous Posting - Will there be a Layfield & Barrett Effect?http://speechwriting-ghostwriting.typepad.com/speechwriting_ghostwritin/2016/05/glassdoor-will-layfield-barrett-subpoena-scare-off-employees-from-ranting.html Jane Genova, Speechwriter-Ghostwriter Blog, May 16, 2016, "Glassdoor - Will Layfield & Barrett Subpoena Scare Off Employees from Ranting?" On May 2, 2016, through its lawyers, Layfield and Barrett and partner Phil Layfield issued a subpoena on Glassdoor seeking the online identities of former employees who posted extremely critical and negative reviews. Glassdoor executives have stated that they will fight the subpoena as they have fought off other efforts to disclose anonymous identities in the recent past.http://www.therecorder.com/id=1202749188614/Glassdoor-Fights-Subpoena-Seeking-Identity-of-Commenter?slreturn=20160422220341 The Recorder, Feb. 8, 2016, "Glassdoor Fights Subpoena Seeking Identity of Commenter" Other litigants in California have won their right to anonymously post negative job reviews but the law remains hotly contested.http://www.dmlp.org/threats/krinsky-v-doe-6 Digital Media Law Project, Krinsky v. Doe, 2008http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=52db6564-e0f4-42eb-abec-c8f109de42a5 Lexicology.com, March 24, 2016, "Opinions, Everyone's Got One".
The "ephemerality", or short-lived nature, of posts that exist on some anonymous image boards such as 4chan create a fast-paced environment. As of 2009, threads on 4chan had a median lifespan of 3.9 minutes.
There is also research suggesting that content that gets posted in such communities also tends to be more deviant in nature than would be otherwise. The ability to post anonymously has also been linked to the proliferation of pornography in newsgroups and other online forums wherein users utilize sophisticated mechanisms such as mentioned in technology.
|
|
