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Austrian government seeks to eliminate internet anonymity, with severe penalties

derstandard.at

271–280 of 292 posts

Re: Austrian government seeks to eliminate internet anonymity, with severe penalties

#271

There was a point made where an opposing lawmaker said that foreign companies like Facebook would not bother to comply. Ha! They will all love to have your real name and address confirmed, they will be more than happy to oblige. It would make many things easier, and allow them to monetize you much better. So strange, this seems to be the exact opposite of the trend in the USA where the public desire is moving towards…

Europe is big on protecting your privacy against private entities. But the government is another matter - it's almost as if the presumption is that it's valid for it to hold such data on the flimsiest of reasons, and it only becomes abusive if used for some sinister purpose. The possibility of such abuse in the future is not considered a valid justification to prevent data collection.

Conversely, in US, we place a lot of emphasis on preventing the government from collecting data that it could abuse, but then largely ignore the same issue with private entities.

(Note, I'm not saying that it's universally true in either place, only that it seems to be the majority consensus. There's certainly plenty people vocally dissenting from it.)

Re: Austrian government seeks to eliminate internet anonymity, with severe penalties

#272
post #99

If there was ever a time to be in the VPN business, its now.

I wish geeks realize that VPN is not the solution for stupid/doubtful laws. They should not exist in first place.

If the majority genuinely want such laws, what's your solution?

Re: Austrian government seeks to eliminate internet anonymity, with severe penalties

#274

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not really that's OTT hyperbole

No, it's pretty accurate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_Uni...

We've only had 21 years where we haven't been at war. https://www.globalresearch.ca/america-has-been-at-war-93-of-...

Re: Austrian government seeks to eliminate internet anonymity, with severe penalties

#276

It is surprising. Even here, in Russia, we don't have such laws working yet. And I wonder, what Austrian authorities are going to do with foreign platforms like Telegram, which are unlikely to comply? Russian government has been trying to block Telegram using DPI for a year and didn't succeed. What about Twitter? Reddit? > In addition, web platforms would be required to appoint a liaison in Austria who would be respo…

> This will just put foreign platforms, who will ignore the law, into an advantageous position compared to local platforms. Users might switch to foreign platforms that don't require identification. Doesn't really matter, as those things move the Overton window. Tomorrow, when the US, China, and EU adopt similar laws, there wont be any "foreign services" to use.

"This will just put foreign platforms, who will ignore the law, into an advantageous position compared to local platforms. Users might switch to foreign platforms that don't require identification."

But in the meantime --Your ISP has informed that a foreign social media provider has connected to your account, identify yourself and provide your alias used on said social platform, or [insert consequences here]

Re: Austrian government seeks to eliminate internet anonymity, with severe penalties

#277
post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This will just put foreign platforms, who will ignore the law, into an advantageous position compared to local platforms. Users might switch to foreign platforms that don't require identification. Doesn't really matter, as those things move the Overton window. Tomorrow, when the US, China, and EU adopt similar laws, there wont be any "foreign services" to use.

What a scary idea. I want to say that its unlikely to happen but with the political climate right not... Anybody got an ideas, on what we are supposed to do when that happens

This is going to be an unpopular opinion but I'm hoping someone can explain why I'm wrong.

I actually would really welcome online activities no longer being anonymous.

I feel like a large part of why people on the internet are so terrible to one another is that there's really no accountability because of the anonymity.

This is true in many areas including hate speech or posting illegal/inappropriate material.

I suppose I don't know if I think it should be LAW that requires everyone be deanonymized, but I do wish people on the internet would treat each other closer to the way they do in real life.

Re: Austrian government seeks to eliminate internet anonymity, with severe penalties

#279
post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ATF is a federal agency. No state is protected against military action against gun holders.

Due to a sad trilogy of events at the end of last century (specifically Episode 2: Texas BBQ) the ATF of this century mostly conducts stings and information based enforcement (i.e. nabbing people for buying Glock switches online). Were they to go back to kicking down doors of people who are generally considered normal patriotic Americans they would A) be more likely to get shot back at than any other agency (much eas…

Edit. I should mention that that "Texas BBQ" happened 26yr ago today. God damn that shit makes my blood boil.

Re: Austrian government seeks to eliminate internet anonymity, with severe penalties

#280
post #277
post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What a scary idea. I want to say that its unlikely to happen but with the political climate right not... Anybody got an ideas, on what we are supposed to do when that happens

This is going to be an unpopular opinion but I'm hoping someone can explain why I'm wrong. I actually would really welcome online activities no longer being anonymous. I feel like a large part of why people on the internet are so terrible to one another is that there's really no accountability because of the anonymity. This is true in many areas including hate speech or posting illegal/inappropriate material. I suppo…

"I'm hoping someone can explain why I'm wrong." The answer is in your own words: " I suppose I don't know if I think it should be LAW". I suppose you are right: you don't know. Many people know for sure that they think this is a bad idea to put in place such a law.
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