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This week, representatives from Google, Facebook, and Twitter are appearing before House and Senate subcommittees to answer for their role in Russian manipulation during the 2016 election, and so far, the questioning has been brutal. Facebook has taken the bulk of the heat, being publicly called out by members of Congress for missing a wave of Russian activity until months after the election.
[...] The point is clear enough: if you're fighting Russian interference on social media, anonymity is a big problem. In some ways, it's the original sin, creating space for that first lie that lets trolls enter the conversation unnoticed. "Account anonymity in public provides some benefits to society, but social media companies must work immediately to confirm real humans operate accounts," Watts told the committee. "The negative effects of social bots far outweigh any benefits." It's a common insight among bot-hunters, and one that's become particularly popular amid this week's hearings.
[...] The problem is social. We're used to anonymity on the internet, particularly on the services where it's still available. It's hard to know what an anonymity backlash would mean for services like Twitter, Reddit, and 4chan — all of which are named in Watts' testimony as playing a role in Russian disinformation.
In the background, there's an even harder question: is anonymity still worth saving? It's foundational to many people's idea of the internet, but amid widespread online harassment and Facebook itself, it's come to mean less and less. Even without Russian influence campaigns, the web's online spaces are largely associated with the ugliest parts of humanity. (4chan is a prime example.) With new pressure from Congress, bot analysts, and the public, online anonymity may not have any defenders left. In the face of that, Twitter, Reddit, and others might decide a real name policy is a small price to pay for forestalling federal regulation.
Source: Russia's Social Media Meddling Could Spell the End of Online Anonymity
Previously: Russia Bans VPNs and Tor, Effective November 1
(Score: 1, Troll) by aristarchus on Sunday November 05 2017, @10:11AM (8 children)
Runaway, you fucking bitch! I will fucking fuck you in the ass, or have my lawyers do it, just on what you said about your younger female co-workers on this very sight, not too long ago. Not to mention your comment about African American Female colleagues, close to the same time frame. Do you think you are exempt from laws that prohibit causing a hostile workplace environment? Do you think you co-workers like your leering glances and really creepy dirty old man comments? Oh, yeah, we are going to fire you just because you are "conservative", what ever the fuch that means these days. No, it is kind of like how "political correctness" is a major bugaboo of the Alt- and Normal, plain old Republican right, when all it means is that you should not be an asshole. Being an Asshole creates a stressful work environment, and those employees you are stressing are worth more than your sorry old Republican ass. So, good by, Runaway1957, nothing personal. Thank goodness you live in a "right to work" state, where we have a right to just fire you for being an asshole, but you can't be forced to join a union! AHHH! Free the Freedom, Runaway! Or, perhaps, you would like to, um, run away? Asshole.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Sunday November 05 2017, @10:25AM (3 children)
That comment contains more spelling and grammar mistakes than usual. Are you trying to attract Grammar Nazis, or are you sauced up?
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2, Troll) by aristarchus on Sunday November 05 2017, @11:41AM (2 children)
Maybe it wasn't me? Or is it just getting Runaway all rilled up by suggesting "You can't handle the truth!" I suspect he will be pink slipped by the end of the week, either in the "terminated" mode, or the "I feel pretty, oh so pretty, and happy, and gay!" mode. Poor Runaway. If only he were not so stupid, could find somewhere else on the internets to hang out and not be banned. As it is, we are stuck with him, because no one else will tolerate his stupidity.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 06 2017, @01:15AM (1 child)
"Everybody who disagrees with me is a stupid fucking idiot."
signed
Genius Tolerant Liberal who loves and respects everybody
Repeat x1000
(Score: 3, Insightful) by aristarchus on Monday November 06 2017, @03:34AM
Why do you think this, genius AC? Did you ever think that someone might disagree with you because you are just wrong, and not smart enough to see it? Could happen.
(Score: 2, Offtopic) by Runaway1956 on Sunday November 05 2017, @10:40AM (3 children)
Citations, or you're making it all up. I have NEVER badmouthed any of my female coworkers, except for HR. In fact, I only have two coworkers who I have ever badmouthed. There is a third who needs it, but I've certainly never mentioned him here. He is only now moving up on my radar, so I know I've never mentioned him.
Go ahead, make accusations, talk shit, make yourself feel good. Doesn't matter. It only gives me ammunition when I file that retaliation lawsuit.
(Score: 0, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 05 2017, @11:47AM (2 children)
Runaway, do you know who I am? Do you know that I am your superior, only posting with a pseudonym, just to keep track of how much damage you might be doing to the company? I only mention the fact that you have let slip so many details because I fear that it can be tracked back to our company, and your posting here would be an extremely negative reflection on us, if anyone were to realize you were our employee. So, Runaway, or if I may call by by the first name in our HR records, ***********, I would appreciate it if you would just shut to fuck up.
(Score: 1, Redundant) by Runaway1956 on Sunday November 05 2017, @01:29PM (1 child)
If you are my "superior", then you will remember that I've already told you that I have few superiors, and that none of them work at this plant. I find my superiors in odd places around the nation, and around the world. But, there are none working in this plant, and you know it. Now, kindly fuck off and die.
(Score: 3, Touché) by Azuma Hazuki on Sunday November 05 2017, @03:39PM
"Did ya ever get the feelin'...you wuz bein'...trolled...? *carrot chomp*"
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...