Despite trolls, hate, and lies, we still need online anonymity

[hrmjustin]

Brian Pellot

This week I spoke about “challenges for religious freedom in the digital age” at the International Association for Religious Freedom’s world congress in Birmingham, U.K.

Audience members and panelists identified anti-religious “hate speech” as one of today’s most pressing concerns. The real problem, most agreed, is online anonymity.

When trolls hide behind pseudonyms they can say whatever they like to offend and to inflict emotional pain, some argued. So what’s to stop anonymous Internet users from inciting violence, spewing libel and spilling state secrets?

Existing laws, terms of service and community guidelines.

- See more at: http://brianpellot.religionnews.com/2014/08/28/internet-free-speech-anonymity-religious-freedom-syria-iraq-facebook-google-twitter/#sthash.gfG2wrCI.dpuf