Is anonymous email a curse or a blessing? What about the idea of anonymity at all? Is it something that should be allowed to be wielded easily by all? The community that makes up our social web – essentially everyone on a global level – will need to decide their stance on anonymous email. Of course those who stand for freedom of speech and advocate privacy will be in favor of it while security and law-enforcement will always have a desire to bring an end to it – at least an end to public use of it. What are the benefits to it however? What are the Pros and Cons?
The cons of anonymous email are apparent on a daily basis, and nothing is more evident than hacking attacks on major gaming networks like the PlayStation network. it’s also apparent in the vast amounts of spam email that come through on a regular basis, where identities are carefully hidden in order to send anonymous email. While being annoying and a major waste of time, anonymity makes it impossible to complain or spam those individuals in return.
Of course anonymous email is about more than just spam messages. Another issue that has given anonymity a bad rap is the poison pen letter. While once more difficult through snail mail, it’s now easier than ever to send off a nasty, hate filled threatening letter to someone through the use of anonymous mail services on the web.
Of course you can’t talk about anonymous positions online without talking about the brawlers online that hide behind a fake ID on forums and through messaging systems, where they talk a big game that they would never back up if you were to meet them in person. Truth be told it’s better to handle most of these people anonymously, since most of what they post is borderline crazy and you wouldn’t want to be in close proximity if they snap lets you join their pile of busted keyboards.
So with those items identified, what are the benefits of anonymous email or anonymity online? Are there any at all? One could easily point to the gainful benefit of reinforcing freedom of speech, but the web encompasses the global community and not all countries operate under the same doctrine of free speech. Even still, anonymous systems give people that empowering freedom to express themselves, for any reason they choose.
The ability to remain anonymous can lead to unsavory and unfavorable uses of such systems, and some would argue that the ability to do so creates the potential for libelous scandals and other falsehoods that could ruin personal relationships, reputations and business brands. Unfortunately it’s the free speech entitlement of many that enables them to do it, and to desire to do so. Anonymity is good and bad, and anonymous email has its place. Whether we choose to eliminate it and our own freedom of speech will ultimately be decided by the people.
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