Protection versus Control: Internet Anonymity
In the modern times, the Internet can be referred to as a great current of information, filled with ever-flowing knowledge that can both be beneficial and harmful simultaneously. Its vastness and magnificience can be compared to that of a deep ocean, full of exotic marine lives and providing us with many gifts from nature, but also infinitely dangerous and constantly threatening us to consume and drown everything that dares to cross its territory. Internet can also be very much useful depending on how we make use of it, but all internet users are always at risk of becoming victims of crimes that are committed online. That was the exact reason lawmakers brought the issue of internet anonymity to light, and bypassed legislation that limit anonymity of internet users to a certain extent. Implemented in 2002, the South Korean government made it compulsory for internet users to go through self-verification process by revealing their real names and social security numbers before being able to post their thoughts online or comment on a post. Originally implemented to prevent illegal election processes from being conducted online, this legislation quickly evolved into an combined effort by the government to prevent the spreading of inverified information leaks and to gain control of the unexplored sections on the internet (Doopedia, 2014). This is a perfect example of the actions and policies that people are ready to undertake in order to gain more control of the cyberspace by oppressing the anonymity of the users, with a complete disregard for any drastic consequences that might occur. Of course, there would have been benefits of implementing policies to force people to reveal their names, but due to other numerous detrimental effects that might stem from it, I strongly believe that anonymity should be protected on the internet.
According to a research done by Pewresearch, 50% of internet users feel unsafe globally because of the fact that their anonymity is not guaranteed, and 86% of the users make use of various privacy tools like history erasers to stay hidden. (Rainie, Kiesler, Kang, Madden, 2013) This shows the growing awareness of the people towards the dangers of internet, and their desire to not expose themselves to the ever-existing cyber- predators, constantly waiting to prey upon unsuspecting users who have foolishly let their personal information fall into the hands of abusers. Such attempts by the people to conceal themselves is the very proof that the intetnet is not organized enough for safe use, and that internet users are not provided with enough mechanisms that ensure them anonymity by administrators of the internet, forcing them to reluctantly take matters of protecting their internet identities into their own hands.
What such researches signal is a simple fact; the beginning of a new era. Now has come a time when information can be counted as power, and the significance of knowledge is emphasized more than ever. Information is regarded as resources that are to be protected by all means, to be kept away from negative influences and impacts. This naturally implies that the possibilities of internet application, an endless source of unbound information, as well as its double-sided nature as highlighted above, intensified as time progressed. Internet anonymity came to light in such situation. Driven by the users' call for secrecy and the lawmakers' constant desire for absolute control, a battle for anonymity on the internet is raging on more intensely than ever, with both sides each presenting a perfectly logical and feasible argument for the matter.
Then, what is anonymity exactly in the first place? Anonymity on the internet refers to hiding oneself completely from the others when surfing the net or posting comments on websites. This includes not revealing ones' real names when writing on the web, or not being obliged to provide our private information, such as social security numbers and phone numbers for the supposed purpose of self-verification. One famous example of an incident that showed how important protective measures, such as that of internet anonymity, is vital in today's cyberspace would be the international cyber attacks launched upon prominent websites by a group of international hackers who named themselves the 'anonymous'. With their attacks, countless government facilities and foundations have been left powerless. This shows us how chaos in cyberspace can strike fear into our minds and immobilize us in an instant, and also the significance in which the problem of internet anonymity should be resolve, as well as a need for a implementation of a suitable solution, in order for the world to enjoy stable lives on the internet.
Perhaps the first task to finding out how anonymity can interact in both physical world and the internet world be to correctly identify the characteristics of the cyber-world that differentiates it from the actual world of physical beings. The internet is not made up of things we could touch; it is constantly ever-shifting, and is never ruled by any physical laws that make our physical world true to touch and stimulus. Nothing is virtually impossible on the internet. As long as one has the correct knowledge and skills to alter the cyberspace, he can make absolute advantage of the internet, and manipulate the cyber-world to do his biddings. However, this does not apply to all of us who make use of the internet. Only a minority of the users are equipped with skills and capability needed to turn the internet world to their advantage. This leaves the rest, a myriad of internet users who have just enough skills to surf the web, purchase items through online shopping malls and transfer money into bank account through the web, completely vulnerable to various risks and threats that loom in the darkness of the internet world, waiting to feed on unsuspecting users who are not capable of dealing with whatever challenges they face on the internet. In other words, the internet is just as large as, perhaps more vast and greater than the real world, but unlike in the latter, users of the former do not have a complete control of their surroundings, and their safety is also not guaranteed. To them, internet is just like being out in the wild, full of surprises. Thus, a device that can somewhat help the users protect their information to some extent should be put up. Protecting the anonymity of the users can play this role, and ensure safer internet lives.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, states that:
regards to abiding by the basic rights of the internet users. As mentioned in the Declaration above, everyone is bestowed upon rights to freely exchange their thoughts and ideas. This right is guaranteed from their birth, and is not to be infringed upon till their death. This right also applies in the cyberspace, and now that the internet has become one of the most active grounds for exchanging opinions, the importance of granting freedom of speech to all the users is now strongly emphasized.
One most typical, as well as effective, way of ensuring such rights on the internet is by allowing people to be anonymous on the web. With their names and personal information revealed disclosed, people will feel intimidated and fear that their ideas will be monitored, afraid that any opinions that are against the current trend might be traced back to them through their exposed information. This prevents the healthy flow o information. It is a well-known fact that democracy depends on the citizens' active participation into formation of national policies through discussions. With their identities exposed on the internet, no more conversation shall occur, and democracy might fall. It has also been historically proven that the government's call for more power and absolute control always began with their efforts to obstruct public opinions. The Soviet Union established perfect control through prohibiting discussions among people and promoting propoganda. A more recent example would be the NSA's attempt to have a constant look at all ongoing electronic communication under excuse of sorting out terrorists. By having people stay anonymous, internet usage shall increase, and active communication will be achieved.
On 2013 June, a shocking news that over 23 million pieces of personal information was leaked into the hands of Chinese hackers rocked the entire Korean Peninsula. These personal informations were traced back to 40 of the most prominent websites in Korea, including online bookstores and search engines. (Dailysecu, 2014) Only a year has passed since the implementation of the Personal Information Protection Law by the Korean congress, and the ineffectiveness of such legislations was again brought to light. This shows the possible prediction of what tragedy that might occur to billions of internet users worldwide. Without a proper measure to conceal their information, their secrets and private information is set to far higher risks of being commercialized on the market, put on sale secretly for others to freely view and abuse of whatever criminal activities they have in mind. Implementing internet anonymity can help the users protect their secrets off the predators on the web, and prevent anymore information leaks that can be used to create fake IDs, used in various scams, and falsely set up into taking all the blames for something we have never committed. Internet anonymity is significant in such a way, and can be a valuable asset in protecting the users.
Some many people do not agree with the opinion that internet anonymity should be protected. They present many valid arguments, each backed up by logical evidences. The first argument given by those who oppose internet anonymity is that with anonymity on the internet, more cyber-bullying and crimes shall occur. The number of hateful comments will also increase, as people will hide behind the privilege of anonymity for negative purposes. This is well depicted in the case of Nicole Catsouras, an 18-year-old died in a car crash in California in 2006. After the death of Nicole, photographs of her badly disfigured body were posted on the Internet, where anonymous trolls set up fake tribute pages and in some cases e-mailed the photos to her parents with subject lines like “Hey, Daddy, I’m still alive.”(The New York Times, 2010) Another study conducted by the assistant professor at university of Houston also outlined the relationship between the personalities of the 'Internet Trolls' and internet users who prefer to stay anonymous. According to the survey, those who try to conceal themselves on the web is more antisocial, as well as aggressive. These internet trolls abuse their anonymous stand upon others, hurting them with hateful comments. The same goes for cyberbullying too. (Santana, 2014) However, what that has to be kept in mind is that those who prey upon others in cyberspace is only a minority, a peck of dust when compared to other responsible, honest internet users who are ready to have what it takes to use the internet freely. A greater good should be strived for, and it is illogical to have all the users give up their rights for anonymity. The problem of cyberbullying that comes with internet anonymity can be attributed to the problem in the social infrastructure and fallacies in the individuals, and alternative solutions can be implemented.
Of course, it is virtually impossible for the users to be completely concealed from the systems of the internet. Many behaviors conducted on the internet involve personal businesses, such as online shopping and banking. No matter how much people desire absolute anonymity on the web, their information is bound to be exposed in at least one of the servers, either during the process of verifying their identities by entering personal information or even sending datas over the internet. All of these activities leave traces on the internet. Opponents of the internet anonymity emphasize on this fact, insisting that internet anonymity is not useless as some pieces of information always remain on the internet. However, what these people fail to comprehend is the fact that accidental disclosure of our personal information happens all the time. Moreover, hackers are always on the move, trying to sneak information out of unsuspecting users through deception. Without people realizing, their information slips away a lot more than they imagine, and some measures that can protect the people in times other than when they are using information for their own purposes.In other words, through anonymity, more can be done so that people can feel safer on the web all the time.
It might seem as if the issue of internet anonymity is simply a matter of another device to be implemented in the internet world, and that not much might change in the event when the anonymity of the users are finally protected on the internet. The truth is, nothing can be further from the truth. Anonymity on the internet is a problem of great significance that will surely affect millions of people worldwide, perhaps billions. With internet anonymity finally protected all over the world, the crime rate, committed both on-line and off-line, will decrease significantly with people's personal information no longer leaking out of control. Political situations shall also improve to a great extent, as people begin expressing their thoughts without fear of redemption or oppression. More creative ideas shall come to light, and another world of enlightenment and happiness can ensue. As the percentage internet usage increases by the second, anonymity will later turn out to be a key measure for protecting people's freedom. Just as the French Revolution that sparked the start of democracy in 1789, implementation of the internet anonymity will be another giant leap in the internet world, and perhaps act as another revolution, that will this time free all users from intimidation and propaganda in cyberspace.
Doopedia (2014) 인터넷 실명제. Retrieved from http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=1222575&cid=40942&categoryId=32854Gil, M.K (2013, July 11). 한국 40개 사이트, 2천3백만건 개인정보 중국서 유통…DB확인 중. DailySecu. Retrieved from http://www.dailysecu.com/news_view.php?article_id=7419Lee, Rainie; Kiesler, Sara; Kang, Ruogu; Madden, Mary (2013, Sep. 5) Anonymity, Privacy, and Security Online. PewResearch Internet Project. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/09/05/anonymity-privacy-and-security-online/Perhaps the first task to finding out how anonymity can interact in both physical world and the internet world be to correctly identify the characteristics of the cyber-world that differentiates it from the actual world of physical beings. The internet is not made up of things we could touch; it is constantly ever-shifting, and is never ruled by any physical laws that make our physical world true to touch and stimulus. Nothing is virtually impossible on the internet. As long as one has the correct knowledge and skills to alter the cyberspace, he can make absolute advantage of the internet, and manipulate the cyber-world to do his biddings. However, this does not apply to all of us who make use of the internet. Only a minority of the users are equipped with skills and capability needed to turn the internet world to their advantage. This leaves the rest, a myriad of internet users who have just enough skills to surf the web, purchase items through online shopping malls and transfer money into bank account through the web, completely vulnerable to various risks and threats that loom in the darkness of the internet world, waiting to feed on unsuspecting users who are not capable of dealing with whatever challenges they face on the internet. In other words, the internet is just as large as, perhaps more vast and greater than the real world, but unlike in the latter, users of the former do not have a complete control of their surroundings, and their safety is also not guaranteed. To them, internet is just like being out in the wild, full of surprises. Thus, a device that can somewhat help the users protect their information to some extent should be put up. Protecting the anonymity of the users can play this role, and ensure safer internet lives.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, states that:
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.This is another example that shows why internet anonymity should be protected, in
regards to abiding by the basic rights of the internet users. As mentioned in the Declaration above, everyone is bestowed upon rights to freely exchange their thoughts and ideas. This right is guaranteed from their birth, and is not to be infringed upon till their death. This right also applies in the cyberspace, and now that the internet has become one of the most active grounds for exchanging opinions, the importance of granting freedom of speech to all the users is now strongly emphasized.
One most typical, as well as effective, way of ensuring such rights on the internet is by allowing people to be anonymous on the web. With their names and personal information revealed disclosed, people will feel intimidated and fear that their ideas will be monitored, afraid that any opinions that are against the current trend might be traced back to them through their exposed information. This prevents the healthy flow o information. It is a well-known fact that democracy depends on the citizens' active participation into formation of national policies through discussions. With their identities exposed on the internet, no more conversation shall occur, and democracy might fall. It has also been historically proven that the government's call for more power and absolute control always began with their efforts to obstruct public opinions. The Soviet Union established perfect control through prohibiting discussions among people and promoting propoganda. A more recent example would be the NSA's attempt to have a constant look at all ongoing electronic communication under excuse of sorting out terrorists. By having people stay anonymous, internet usage shall increase, and active communication will be achieved.
On 2013 June, a shocking news that over 23 million pieces of personal information was leaked into the hands of Chinese hackers rocked the entire Korean Peninsula. These personal informations were traced back to 40 of the most prominent websites in Korea, including online bookstores and search engines. (Dailysecu, 2014) Only a year has passed since the implementation of the Personal Information Protection Law by the Korean congress, and the ineffectiveness of such legislations was again brought to light. This shows the possible prediction of what tragedy that might occur to billions of internet users worldwide. Without a proper measure to conceal their information, their secrets and private information is set to far higher risks of being commercialized on the market, put on sale secretly for others to freely view and abuse of whatever criminal activities they have in mind. Implementing internet anonymity can help the users protect their secrets off the predators on the web, and prevent anymore information leaks that can be used to create fake IDs, used in various scams, and falsely set up into taking all the blames for something we have never committed. Internet anonymity is significant in such a way, and can be a valuable asset in protecting the users.
Some many people do not agree with the opinion that internet anonymity should be protected. They present many valid arguments, each backed up by logical evidences. The first argument given by those who oppose internet anonymity is that with anonymity on the internet, more cyber-bullying and crimes shall occur. The number of hateful comments will also increase, as people will hide behind the privilege of anonymity for negative purposes. This is well depicted in the case of Nicole Catsouras, an 18-year-old died in a car crash in California in 2006. After the death of Nicole, photographs of her badly disfigured body were posted on the Internet, where anonymous trolls set up fake tribute pages and in some cases e-mailed the photos to her parents with subject lines like “Hey, Daddy, I’m still alive.”(The New York Times, 2010) Another study conducted by the assistant professor at university of Houston also outlined the relationship between the personalities of the 'Internet Trolls' and internet users who prefer to stay anonymous. According to the survey, those who try to conceal themselves on the web is more antisocial, as well as aggressive. These internet trolls abuse their anonymous stand upon others, hurting them with hateful comments. The same goes for cyberbullying too. (Santana, 2014) However, what that has to be kept in mind is that those who prey upon others in cyberspace is only a minority, a peck of dust when compared to other responsible, honest internet users who are ready to have what it takes to use the internet freely. A greater good should be strived for, and it is illogical to have all the users give up their rights for anonymity. The problem of cyberbullying that comes with internet anonymity can be attributed to the problem in the social infrastructure and fallacies in the individuals, and alternative solutions can be implemented.
Of course, it is virtually impossible for the users to be completely concealed from the systems of the internet. Many behaviors conducted on the internet involve personal businesses, such as online shopping and banking. No matter how much people desire absolute anonymity on the web, their information is bound to be exposed in at least one of the servers, either during the process of verifying their identities by entering personal information or even sending datas over the internet. All of these activities leave traces on the internet. Opponents of the internet anonymity emphasize on this fact, insisting that internet anonymity is not useless as some pieces of information always remain on the internet. However, what these people fail to comprehend is the fact that accidental disclosure of our personal information happens all the time. Moreover, hackers are always on the move, trying to sneak information out of unsuspecting users through deception. Without people realizing, their information slips away a lot more than they imagine, and some measures that can protect the people in times other than when they are using information for their own purposes.In other words, through anonymity, more can be done so that people can feel safer on the web all the time.
It might seem as if the issue of internet anonymity is simply a matter of another device to be implemented in the internet world, and that not much might change in the event when the anonymity of the users are finally protected on the internet. The truth is, nothing can be further from the truth. Anonymity on the internet is a problem of great significance that will surely affect millions of people worldwide, perhaps billions. With internet anonymity finally protected all over the world, the crime rate, committed both on-line and off-line, will decrease significantly with people's personal information no longer leaking out of control. Political situations shall also improve to a great extent, as people begin expressing their thoughts without fear of redemption or oppression. More creative ideas shall come to light, and another world of enlightenment and happiness can ensue. As the percentage internet usage increases by the second, anonymity will later turn out to be a key measure for protecting people's freedom. Just as the French Revolution that sparked the start of democracy in 1789, implementation of the internet anonymity will be another giant leap in the internet world, and perhaps act as another revolution, that will this time free all users from intimidation and propaganda in cyberspace.
References
Santana, Arthur B.(2014, March 14). Anonymous comments, Internet trolls and research into what we already know (Ted Diadium). University of Houston. Retrieved from http://www.cleveland.com/readers/index.ssf/2014/03/research_reveals_some_insights.htmlUniversal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Article 19Zhuo, Julie (2010, Nov. 29). Where Anonymity Breeds Contempt. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/opinion/30zhuo.html
