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Disqus Bug Deanonymizes Commenters

Posted by Unknown on from the anonymous-cowards-unmasked dept.

alphatel writes "The Swedish company Resarchgruppen has discovered a flaw in the Disqus commenting system, enabling them to identify Disqus users by their e-mail addresses. The crack was done in cooperation with the Bonnier Group tabloid Expressen, in order to reveal politicians commenting on Swedish hate speech-sites."

3 of 151 comments (clear)

  1. I do. by Dr.+Manhattan · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've always used my real name when commenting, or (in the case of places like Slashdot) made it easy to find my real name. For decades now. There are a couple posts on Usenet I'm embarrassed about (for example, I got my signs reversed trying to explain the link between electricity, magnetism, and Relativity once) but nothing I would be uncomfortable if a prospective employer saw, or appearing on the front page of the newpaper.

    --
    PHEM - party like it's 1997-2003!
    1. Re:I do. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Then maybe, just maybe, you wouldn't want to work for that employer. I have always thought you should be able to stand behind your thoughts and opinions should you chose to share them publicly.

  2. Re:The methos is not uncalled for. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You make an erroneous assumption that people that have a certain strong view and based on emotions can easily be convinced to sway sides by mere logic and facts. You can't. In fact, they use the "facts" to support their own view and disregard of facts contradicting them. Also, they seek more facts and views supporting what they already believe in. It is called information bias and is nothing new, just seems to have become worse and worse lately.