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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. 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.
  2. 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)...

  3. Erase it. Now! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I want all of the things I've posted as Anonymous Coward for the past five years erased. All of these comments are "owned by the person who posted them," and I posted all of them.

  4. 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.
  5. Re:Already have that covered by mr_lizard13 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I just make sure that I am a very uninteresting person.

    That's fascinating. Tell me more!

    --
    "We live in a global world" - Harvey Pitt, former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman
  6. Re:Anonymous Coward says "yes" by Galestar · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Exactly
    1. Stop using your real name, use aliases or post as AC.
    2. Use different aliases for each site.
    3. Use disposable email addresses for temporary logins
    4. Use anonkeys1 (etc) logins
    5. Use TOR for sites/comments you want truly anonymous. Also use TOR to access the email address you register with (if you EVER access that address from your own IP, you've compromised the account... throw it out)

    L2Protect your own rights if you care about them so much.

    --
    AccountKiller
  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.