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Should We Have a Right To Be Forgotten Online?

Posted by Soulskill on from the just-be-less-memorable dept.

rsmiller510 writes "There's a growing movement in Europe regarding a right to be forgotten online. It's a notion that might sound attractive on its face, but could have chilling unintended consequences for the historical record."

9 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. Anonymous Coward says "yes" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Anonymous Coward says "yes"
    Thanks

  2. Public Forum. Get used to it. by lwsimon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    A right, by definition, does not require action on the part of another.

    You have every right to remove what you've posted to your own servers - but once you post to someone else's server, you've relinquished control of that information, permanently.

    --
    Learn about Photography Basics.
  3. Just like real life by Drakkenmensch · · Score: 4, Insightful

    In a way, the internet is a lot like real life. If you do or say something really stupid, chances are nobody will ever let you live it down anyway.

    1. Re:Just like real life by GodfatherofSoul · · Score: 5, Insightful

      But, unlike real life there isn't likely going to be a documented transcript of your comments that can be easily copied, forwarded, and referenced by millions with a few mouse clicks.

      --
      I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
    2. Re:Just like real life by hairyfeet · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You know something dude? "What must I do to get this chocolatey goodness out of you?!' and 'Don't you just wish you could discharge your entire rectum at once?' should never ever EVER be used in the same sentence, kay?

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
  4. Other rights first by freakingme · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'd rather have some other rights first, like a freedom of speech without having domains seized etc, and a right to actually have an internet connection (France is taking away your connection after allegedly downloading something, and so will the US - it seems)...

  5. Re:Public Forum. Get used to it. by corbettw · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A right, by definition, does not require action on the part of another.

    That's only true for negative rights. And while I agree with you that positive "rights" are just a pleasant sounding cover for forcing people to act a certain way, a large swath of the population (especially in Europe) holds those rights as dearly as the traditional right to be left alone.

    --
    God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
  6. Why would anyone put their real info online?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I don't get it.. why are these sheeple putting their real info all over the net? We hear it all the time, such and such gets fired because of facebook, or whatever..

    Someone needs to teach people how to be an internet user me thinks!

    Doesn't matter what they try to legislate, it's too late now. countless archives everywhere are full of your info.

  7. Re:Already have that covered by mordenkhai · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Unless you have a contract stating that when a business does close, they destroy their databases etc, I would bet the first thing the people in charge of liquidating do is place a price on said information and sell it. Its easy, many marketers want all the data they can possibly gather, and its one more dollar they can squeeze out before shuttering the doors forever.