Annoying Someone Via the Internet Now a Crime
 

Okay, I saw this on another message board. Is this for real?

Article

Perspective: Create an e-annoyance, go to jail
By Declan McCullagh

Published: January 9, 2006, 4:00 AM PST

Annoying someone via the Internet is now a federal crime.

It's no joke. Last Thursday, President Bush signed into law a prohibition on posting annoying Web messages or sending annoying e-mail messages without disclosing your true identity.

In other words, it's OK to flame someone on a mailing list or in a blog as long as you do it under your real name. Thank Congress for small favors, I guess.

This ridiculous prohibition, which would likely imperil much of Usenet, is buried in the so-called Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act. Criminal penalties include stiff fines and two years in prison.

"The use of the word 'annoy' is particularly problematic," says Marv Johnson, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. "What's annoying to one person may not be annoying to someone else."

Internet Lawyer's client load is about to increase...

Darn Terrific.

So TyPiNg LiKe ThIs Is A cRiMe NoW?

Dee, it was always a crime. Anyone who types in Togglecase should be shot.

LOL. Subpoenas will soon be flying all over GC.

Hopefully the next thing down the pipe will be spam email companies will be sentenced to flogging.

Disasterously Terrifying! :eek: :rolleyes: :eek:

Ironic

I could handle that!!

Well, I guess all of GC is going to jail. Minus the trolls and sock puppets.