ICQ Universe

scubacuda writes "PC World: ICQ Universe (now owned by AOL) will soon be the first to offer social networking services on an IM platform. One has to wonder what types of legal issues might surface as social networks (particularly those unsecured) become more popular. For example, could being an IM buddy with someone later come back and haunt you?"

Comments

First Microsoft, now AOL?

[Motherfucking Shit]

I thought this was a dupe until I went back and looked; the previous story was about Microsoft getting into this game. I wonder which one of them will be first to partner with Acxiom?

social networking

[DavidDeLux]

This looks like somebody else is jumping on the social bandwagon... how many services will be popping up to offer such facilities in 2004?

Actually, this reminds me of LinkedIn.com, but I suspect the signal-to-noise ratio will be a bit different ;-)

In fact, I don't see anything wrong with using a computerized system to help with social netwoking... but as in real life, you gotta be careful out there, although its too early to say whether it will be better or worse than getting scammed/screwed/whatever through a service like this or in real life.

Re:Prediction about "social network software"

[Apreche]

May I refer you to this great article by Doug Rushkoff.

Social Currency

Not to Worry...

[Quantum-Sci]

could being an IM buddy with someone later come back and haunt you?

In the US Constitution is a provision called "freedom of association". You can be friends with whom you want. (Until that too, is undermined by The Party, at least)

If your friend is a drug dealer, just don't talk about or be involved with drugs with him.

Re:Prediction about "social network software"

[janbjurstrom]

Interesting, but could use some references to sources / related material, e.g.:

Andrew Odlyzko's paper Content is Not King which I often point to - it's that good :), and the groundbreaking Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan (written in 1964, in which he coined the phrase "the medium is the message". First 7 chapters also available online.).

That is why PGP/GPG is your friend!

[MikeCapone]

PGP

gnuPG

Tell this Mr. Arar ...

[TekGoNos]

... who was send to Syria to be tortured
because a suspected terrorist signed
his rental lease as a witness six
years earlier.

"freedom of association" is nice,
but in this terrorist-witch hunt
society, your rights dont count
for much.

Therefor you should be carefull
what to write
(online)
or whom do you chat with.

Even if not
tortured, you might find yourself
constrained for interrogation for an
unlimited time

as a suspected terrorist.

That being said, you shouldnt become paranoid either. The governement will probably monitor you for a while before they decide to take any action and as long as you dont write things like "I swear death to all infidels" you probably wont be bothered.

But "freedom of association" (or any civil right for that matter) is a myth.
Defending our civil rights from terrorists has become more important than respecting these civil rights.