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Submitted via IRC for TheMightyBuzzard
There are all sorts of different ways that websites that allow comments have dealt with trollish behavior over the years, but I think the BBC's new policy is the first I've seen in which the organization threatens that it may contact your boss or your school (found via Frank Fisher).
The new policy has a short section on "offensive or inappropriate content on BBC websites" where it says the following:
Offensive or inappropriate content on BBC websites
If you post or send offensive, inappropriate or objectionable content anywhere on or to BBC websites or otherwise engage in any disruptive behaviour on any BBC service, the BBC may use your personal information to stop such behaviour.
Where the BBC reasonably believes that you are or may be in breach of any applicable laws (e.g. because content you have posted may be defamatory), the BBC may use your personal information to inform relevant third parties such as your employer, school email/internet provider or law enforcement agencies about the content and your behaviour.
To be fair, it does seem to limit this to cases where it believes you've violated the law, but even so, it seems like a stretch to argue that the BBC should be calling your boss to tell on you for being a [troll], even if you break the law.
Source: TechDirt
(Score: 1) by tftp on Friday May 19 2017, @03:31AM (2 children)
If you're using an employer's email, a university's email, or an internet provider's services to do something illegal
The good old BBC does not limit itself to reporting an illegal (? probably "suspected illegal") content. Their conditions are much more relaxed:
If you post or send offensive, inappropriate or objectionable content anywhere on or to BBC websites or otherwise engage in any disruptive behaviour on any BBC service, the BBC may use your personal information to stop such behaviour.
Offensive, inappropriate or objectionable? Oh sweet Jesus... hold, I'm taking that back - the name of a well known literary character will be offensive and objectionable to many. The criteria that BBC published allow posting only of information-free content, probably cats' photos. Per the letter of this law, you may be reported for merely disagreeing with an article. In essence, their words permit them to report you if you displease the BBC in any way, as it's them who define what "offensive" and "disruptive" means. Or, even worse, they may adopt those definitions from one or another "vocal minority," [often] being driven by the demands of social justice. Then that minority will crucify you. Hold, I cannot say that either...
(Score: 2) by AthanasiusKircher on Friday May 19 2017, @05:33AM
To be clear, my post was referring to the policy about contacting your employer, etc. I'm less of a fan of the other section of the BBC policy that you note, though that seems to fall under a separate standard of action.
(Score: 2) by tangomargarine on Friday May 19 2017, @03:18PM
The criteria that BBC published allow posting only of information-free content, probably cats' photos.
My wife is a cat, you insensitive clod!
"Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"