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Judge Rules Web Commenter Will Be Unmasked To Mom

Posted by kdawson on from the you-have-no-anonymity-get-over-it dept.

LegalReader writes "An Illinois judge has decided that an anonymous commenter on a newspaper website will be unmasked, even though the mother of a teen about whom 'Hipcheck16' allegedly made 'deeply disturbing' comments hasn't yet decided whether to sue over the posting."

10 of 404 comments (clear)

  1. If he did, he would be wrong by Kupfernigk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Nobody deserves anonymous abuse unless it is a matter of serious public concern. Assuming that your statement is correct, if the kid is already a "mommas boy" then online bullying would only make things worse. And in your post you have clearly identified yourself as a supporter of online bullying of the less socially able ("deserved"). Consider what this says about you, because it isn't very nice.

    --
    From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
    1. Re:If he did, he would be wrong by jez9999 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Are you seriously saying that the identity of anyone who calls someone names on the internet should be revealed by force of law?

      --
      == Jez ==
      Do you miss Firefox? Try Pale Moon.
    2. Re:If he did, he would be wrong by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The law ensures that anyone can express their opinions about any matter

      I don't know which country, state or municipality's "law" you are talking about, but if you are living in a city in the US, you are incorrect.

      You may express your "opinions about any matter" but you cannot "say anything you want about anyone", especially not about someone who is not a public figure.

      The "law" as you put it, actually protects us against libel and slander. Further, it protects us against speech that would incite violence against someone or puts someone in danger.

      It's a shame that so many people in the US think that "free speech" means "I can say anything I want".

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    3. Re:If he did, he would be wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Asshole.

  2. Re:Maybe the 15 year old is a momma's boy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    from her website, she's generally anti-freedom

    opposes freedom to own "vicious" dog breeds
    opposes freedom to use "dangerous pesticides" to kill mosquitoes
    opposes freedom to use marijuana

    and, from her actions, seems like she's kind of opposed to free speech. However, most telling are the comments in the local newspaper about her endorsement http://www.dailyherald.com/story/comments/?id=280060

    What a bitch

  3. Re:When will some people learn... by MichaelSmith · · Score: 5, Informative

    ... that theres really no such thing as anonymity online. If someone wants to find out who you are then eventually they will.

    I could...

    • Steal wifi
    • Pay cash at an internet cafe
    • Use free wifi at McDonalds etc
    • Use an anonymous computer at work
    • Use tor or a proxy
    --
    http://michaelsmith.id.au
  4. Re:Maybe the 15 year old is a momma's boy by reverendbeer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Are there a place for anonymous comments? Yes, defitely, to fight a system mostly. For bullying or harrassment? No.

    Who decides what is "bullying" or "harrassment?" One person's "harrassment" might be someone else's "fighting the system." Who decides this? You? Me? Well, me, of course.

  5. Just Playing Politics by Intractable · · Score: 5, Insightful

    goddammit the woman is a politician - her issue is really about defamation & political reputation. - The trouble started when son defended his mom against some criticisms by hipcheck16. This is bad news for people who like to indulge in random uncensored political commentary. And as for us regular slobs who have no reputation to damage - we have to cop the crap without recourse to suing or whatever.

  6. Re:Maybe the 15 year old is a momma's boy by SharpFang · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But if you want to walk around with dangerous dogs that can attack me

    I don't want you walking around with a dangerous tool of rape tucked in your trousers. You could rape me any time!

    --
    45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
  7. Re:The judge seems to be entirely right by bdenton42 · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is the "end" of a chain of lawsuits. The court has already ordered the newspaper to release the guy's IP address, and they did. The court has already ordered Comcast to release the identity of the guy who was using that IP address and they did.

    So the court knows who the guy is and the guy is represented by a lawyer. She can go ahead and sue 'John Doe' based on the information the court already possesses if she really thinks she has a case. There is really no reason for the mother to know the guys identity other than to personally harrass him (presumably as this was a debate over a local election the guy lives in her district).