So...how did they find his real identity? Was that covered in the entire episode?
Someone in the "troll community" gave the BBC reporter a USB stick on it with his identity and lots of samples of hir activity.
BBC confronts Facebook troll
41–50 of 133 posts
Re: BBC confronts Facebook troll
#42Commenting on this particular troll is probably beneath the majority of us. However, on a general note, I think it is important to realize that every text message you send, every cell phone conversation you have, every post to the CNN forum you make, every tweet you send ... is directly attributable to your IP whether you use your own name or not. With Facebook and Google tracking everything you do, whether you are l…
As a real world example to back you up:
One of my projects was shut down by Craigslist (NotifyWire.com). I took down the site and posted the details explaining why NotifyWire was going off-line.
Six months later, while attempting to refinance my house, I was told to take my name off the mortgage application because my corporation was under legal threat by Craigslist and thus was a liability that the underwriters might cite as a reason to decline the application.
That was an eye opener for me.
Re: BBC confronts Facebook troll
#43Commenting on this particular troll is probably beneath the majority of us. However, on a general note, I think it is important to realize that every text message you send, every cell phone conversation you have, every post to the CNN forum you make, every tweet you send ... is directly attributable to your IP whether you use your own name or not. With Facebook and Google tracking everything you do, whether you are l…
I agree with you other than in this part:
> How long before an internet and phone background check is standard in the background checks organizations do before offering jobs?
this is a typical scenario of unaware teen: he signs up for facebook, put bunch of pictures, then get in some sort of trouble due to that (stalker, troubles at work/home/school etc). That is like a cold shower. Most teens learns from first, second, third mistake. Then they stop posting photos OR at least think twice before clicking upload.
Not only it would be incredible abuse on FB part to share your history in a way that your data could be as valuable as credit card history, I am sure people would stop using Facebook had known their _private_ facebook life stopped them from getting a credit card or some other benefits.
Re: BBC confronts Facebook troll
#44Commenting on this particular troll is probably beneath the majority of us. However, on a general note, I think it is important to realize that every text message you send, every cell phone conversation you have, every post to the CNN forum you make, every tweet you send ... is directly attributable to your IP whether you use your own name or not. With Facebook and Google tracking everything you do, whether you are l…
> If you can't say something nice...just don't comment.
That's great advice, both online and face-to-face. Well, probably "useful" rather than "nice", and say it respectfully; e.g. when debating an idea, arguing your position may not be seen as nice...
It is all so true that what you say can come back to haunt you. It is the responsibility that comes with the freedom (of speech, in this case). You cannot have one without the other, but while it is important to understand and accept the responsibility, you shouldn't let it frighten you into giving away your freedom.
Re: BBC confronts Facebook troll
#45[deleted]
Re: BBC confronts Facebook troll
#46I have the feeling that this is the ultimate 'feed the troll' reaction. Actually caring enough to track them down, talk to them and reason with them about obviously attention-seeking and ill-meant content? Why?
Well, we can't forget that even trolls have day jobs, bosses, friends, family, acquaintances. This particular troll wrote some mean, racist, inhumane comments. He wants attention, but not to his real self, which is why he posts under a fake account. So as a society, what do you do with such offenders? Freedom of speech wasn't really meant to protect garbage like that. Well, one option is you can publicly shame him, o…
> Freedom of speech wasn't really meant to protect garbage like that.
whether its a garbage or not, that your personal opinion. even if it would be opinion of 99% of population, you would still find people liking his writing.
I am not sure where the problem is: whether it is him writing this stuff, or others unable to ignore his writing. I don't mind trolls; they are sort of a challenge. If someone is smart enough to get intelligent individual involved in the garbage conversation, then its that individual fault. internet is a product of humanbeings and like in real life, there will always be statistical noise, an asshole in the neighborhood, one stupid dude out of 100s your working with, etc.
Checking with Wiki, troll is someone fed off someones responses to his comment. I bet if you ignore this guy long enough, he would stop trolling.
Re: BBC confronts Facebook troll
#47I do not agree with the statements of the troll but will defend his right to say it. The internet is making the world like a small town. Piss on people on the internet will be like pissing on people in line at Walmart. You can, but people are going to hate you, and you will never be forgiven by anyone for anything bad you do unless you hire a professional to erase your histories.
Wrong. I'd defend his right to say it if he weren't anonymous. In the US you do not have a right to anonymous speech. In most countries you don't have this right. You can mostly say whatever you want in public because the people around you will know who you are and can respond.
Re: BBC confronts Facebook troll
#48Commenting on this particular troll is probably beneath the majority of us. However, on a general note, I think it is important to realize that every text message you send, every cell phone conversation you have, every post to the CNN forum you make, every tweet you send ... is directly attributable to your IP whether you use your own name or not. With Facebook and Google tracking everything you do, whether you are l…
As a real world example to back you up: One of my projects was shut down by Craigslist (NotifyWire.com). I took down the site and posted the details explaining why NotifyWire was going off-line. Six months later, while attempting to refinance my house, I was told to take my name off the mortgage application because my corporation was under legal threat by Craigslist and thus was a liability that the underwriters migh…
wow thats actually crazy! designing a simple bootstrap website that "failed" and later on Craiglist reported it somewhere that your future may depend on?? can you share some more details?
Re: BBC confronts Facebook troll
#49Hmm, this is actually an entertaining idea. I'd like to see a Chris Hansen style confrontation, where they track down trolls, confront them with what they've written, and then see how they justify or apologize their way out of the situation.
I can't imagine a 13 year old defending his racist rants behind a veil of tears being particularly entertaining. The fact that this particular guy happened to be an adult is probably a bit of an enigma within the world of trolls.
I think people forget that reality TV and the like are edited and spliced to appeal to the audience. Anything you see on TV is weighted to determine if its entertaining or not... should a show/news cast adopt the OP's recommendation you can safely assume that each "lead" they track down that ends up at a kid would be simply swept away because it doesn't make for good TV.
Re: BBC confronts Facebook troll
#50I do not agree with the statements of the troll but will defend his right to say it. The internet is making the world like a small town. Piss on people on the internet will be like pissing on people in line at Walmart. You can, but people are going to hate you, and you will never be forgiven by anyone for anything bad you do unless you hire a professional to erase your histories.
Wrong. I'd defend his right to say it if he weren't anonymous. In the US you do not have a right to anonymous speech. In most countries you don't have this right. You can mostly say whatever you want in public because the people around you will know who you are and can respond.
You do have the right to anonymous speech in the USA as upheld by the Supreme Court in McIntosh vs. Ohio in 1995:
http://www.acluohio.org/about/historicacluohiolitigation.asp...
and again in Watchtower Bible vs. Stratton in 2002