TROLLS NOT ALLOWED IN ARIZONA

by Old_Ponter , Tuesday, April 03, 2012, 21:45
edited by Old_Ponter, Tuesday, April 03, 2012, 22:04

Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen of the STA:

It seems that the State of Arizona wants to outlaw internet trolls, you know those posters who only have nice things to say about other people. If the law is implemented, one will no longer be able to wish anyone a happy birthday--that might be considered age-related harassment, since the wording of the law is too broad.

http://techland.time.com/2012/04/03/arizona-looks-to-outlaw-internet-trolling/?iid=tl-article-mostpop1

It is unlawful for any person, with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend, to use ANY ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL DEVICE and use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act, or threaten to inflict physical harm to the person or property of any person.

What can terrify one more than the reminder of yet another birthday, yet another year gone past, yet another year closer to wearing them white shoes and trousers that span up to one's shoulders....

http://techland.time.com/2012/04/03/arizona-looks-to-outlaw-internet-trolling/?iid=tl-article-mostpop1

Like so much other knee-jerk technology legislation, Arizona’s bill is noble at heart. Its goal is to stop cyber-bullying by outlawing threats and intimidation delivered via Internet.

But as Media Coalition–an organization that includes film and music industry trade groups–points out, the bill is far too broad, both in its language and its scope. By using vague terms like “annoy” and “offend,” the bill risks criminalizing standard Internet practice of acting like a jerk in the comments section of a blog post. Because the bill isn’t limited to one-on-one communication, all open communication on the Internet could be considered a Class 1 misdemeanor if someone deemed the language offensive.

The Old_Ponter.