Assemblyman Wants To Make Being Mean On The Internet Illegal

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The internet is a dark, cruel place, filled with trolls and idiots trying to bombard you with their conspiracy theories or trying to one-up each other with racist jokes. But Assemblyman Micah Kellner wants to change all of that. In a new bill, Kellner would not only want to make identity theft a crime, but cyberbullying as well. "Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in a more personal kind of impersonation: the use of Internet anonymity to harass individuals," the bill states. Presumably to prove Kellner's point, one Daily News commenter demonstrated the role of a typical cyberbully: "The Politicians can't handle the thought of Blogger's and Post's, from people without their identity exposed. Orwellian at it's best."

The bill would make "digital impersonation for the purposes of harming, threatening or defrauding another person" a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail or a $1,000 fine. It's also sponsored in the state Senate by Martin Golden, who said, "It's trying to get a handle on a different kind of cyberbullying. You've got to set some parameters so people understand that you have to live within the norm of society." No word yet on what this means for the fate of the BronxZoosCobra Twitter.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jaya Saxena in News on April 18, 2011 11:28 AM

Comments [rss]

Guest

Nice of the author to use this as an opportunity to take a dig at the lengthy 9/11 commentary. Again, another trite "conspiracy theory" dismissal, despite the fact that those posting on the side of 9/11 "truth" destroyed, with aplomb, the parrots of the "official" version.

Look, I know Gothamist fancies itself a media outlet and probably doesn't want to risk being ostracized for hosting such an in-depth discussion about such a controversial, hot-button issue. However, this is a pretty low blow which was executed irrespective of the fair debate that took place, let alone the facts.

cmdrogogov

Wealthy, powerful person scared of anonymous people obfusticating their identity in order to level the playing field. News at 11.

I would expect such a misinformed and idiotic bill to be DOA in the senate. You're a public figure, if you still dare to make a public appearance after Gabby Giffords got shot in the head, you sure as hell can handle some harsh language. Grow the fuck up.

Peanut_Butter

I've never heard of Assemblyman Micah Kellner....oh, I see what he did.

Guest

This bill has the potential to ruin my trolling forever...

splicernyc

Mean ppl suck.

Guest

apparently this ASSemblyman needs to be reminded about freedom of speech.

MermaidFornicator

The internet has become such an integral part of our lives that impersonating people online & cyberbullying should be a crime.

Guest

Pansy! Whatever happened to "Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will NEVER hurt me!"?

MermaidFornicator

Whatever happened to "Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will NEVER hurt me!"?

tell that to any woman who has been sexually harassed

Guest

Honestly, I would. But I would also tell her to file a lawsuit, because
sexual harassment is something that happens in the workplace and it should not
go unpunished. If that same woman happened to walk by a group of construction
workers that cat called after her, I would tell her to forget about them and
choose a different route if she doesn't want to deal with it again.

________________________________

Peanut_Butter

Best way to prevent harassment from construction guys is to either show appreciation or a sense of humor from their whistles.

And if they cross the line, best way is to call them on their bluff. "Yeah, lemme see if your tool is really standard size or a mini."

Guest

Agreed. It's all about owning the situation.

FU Boy

And Slander and Libel are not protected speech.

Spirit of 76

Or you could always read the bill. It specifies the crime as appropriating the identity of another real person for several purposes. That goes way beyond just insulting someone, which the bill doesn't cover.

Knee-jerk reactions will usually get you in trouble like that.

Guest

I read the headline, which as usual, is incorrect and leading. It wasn't a
knee-jerk reaction more than it was trusting Gothamist. Appropriating the
identity of another person is already illegal, so this bill is just another
stupid way for the Democrats and Republicans to act as if they're accomplishing
something.

________________________________

Roger_the_Shrubber

Want to make a bet that "bullying" or "being mean" on the internet will somehow be redefined to political dissent? In other words, says something online the government doesn't like, go to jail.

Guest

Exactly! It's akin to the Sedition Act of 1918.

WetButt

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde

Peanut_Butter

So true. Probably my favorite author of all time.

BottomlessChips

The federal government shutting down online poker sites. This guy proposing "bullying" laws.

Why do some Americans naively ask for net neutrality when we are already getting this power grabs by politicians? I'd rather deal with paying $500 a month for 1 MB versus the FCC or Micah Kellner restricting speech.