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RE: smoke and mirrors
By Cogman on 12/13/2006 10:12:22 AM , Rating: 2
so you register and never use it, or ocasionally use it. Safe.

RE: smoke and mirrors
By peternelson on 12/13/2006 11:25:29 AM , Rating: 2
I have no problem with asking offenders to REGISTER their IM, email, screen names.

What I DO have a problem with is an automatic blocking of all such details on various systems like myspace.

If someone using that identity is found OFFENDING then you can throw the book at them, but until that, you should not ban it.

This is because if you block myspace, where do you stop? eg uploading to youtube, eg posting on anandtech forums, eg sending emails?

You will deprive even people with relatively minor offences from the commonly accepted benefits of using the internet. If someone asks you "what's your msn" (or similar ubiquitous messaging system like AOL, yahoo), and you cannot give them it, or set up an account, that is pretty much effectively making them wear a sign around their neck saying I'm a convicted sex offender for the rest of my life. It could also lead to vigilante attacks.

Further this makes no distinction between minor things (like possessing not buying pornography) versus violent rape and murder. In the latter cases there is probably some merit in keeping people off myspace, but doing it automatically regardless of offence is problematic. In UK there is specific offence of "grooming" a young person, and if the offender was monitored doing any such activity then action should certainly be taken immediately.

For this reason I support the registering of online names, but not blanket blocking of those accounts.

eg the ability to have an account on ebay could be a legitimate means of income (even though it could be used as a means to meet victims).

Also regarding convicted hackers given sentences like you can't use a computer for the next 5 years. That is pretty dumb. The restriction should be against doing naughty things with computers, because just using them is an important part of daily life eg home banking.


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