Technology
The Unmasking of Internet Trolls
[The Daily Mail] Cowardly internet ‘trolls’ who post vile abuse on Facebook and Twitter will be identified to their victims under laws unveiled today.
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke wants to strip away the cloak of anonymity which shields website users who peddle lies and vicious smears. Internet companies will be expected to agree to rules over how to deal with libellous comments posted on their sites.
They will be told that – provided they agree to hand over the identity of the abuser to their victim – the internet company itself will be protected from legal action by the victim of abuse.
If they refuse, however, they could be hauled before the courts and fined thousands of pounds for the hateful comments, even though they were made by a visitor to their website.
Is the U.S. next? James Slack reveals more about the United Kingdom’s taking cyber bullies to task.