9/25/2013 Identity protection versus freedom of speech

This coming Wednesday at the Idea's Cafe, we will be discussing identity protection versus freedom of speech on the internet.

Bruce told me about the story of a teacher whose reputation is ruined by his ex-girlfriend's cyber stalking.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/teacher-powerless-to-stop-ex-girlfriend-s-cyberstalking-1.1314610

It seems that there are lots of examples of previous love interests going on the internet to get even with their ex lover for being dumped.

Or the various examples of cyber bullying where private pictures have been posted on the net.

Then there is the news item of Yelp suing Vancouver man for submitting fake reviews http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/09/20/yelp-sues-vancouver-man-f_n_3965610.html?utm_hp_ref=canada&ir=Canada

According to Yelp, not only is this person paying others to submit false reviews to bolster businesses being reviewed, this person actually have the audacity to threaten Yelp with creating further fake reviews unless Yelp pay up.

Yelp is seeking a legal order for the internet provider to turn over the person's name and address.

We all know that the internet is the wild wild west and not to trust everything there.

But what about freedom of speech? 

What about people who wanted to put in positive reviews for a business because of a genuine positive experience with that business?

What about the neighborhood watch that wanted to alert people of dangerous criminals that have now been released from prison and living in their area?

May be even an ex lover warning other people to stay away from a predatory lover?

Not only can we not count on governments to referee because the internet cross borders,  it is hard to imagine anyone who can be the ultimate arbiters for content as diverse as found on the internet.

Social media and the search engine giants are staying away from anything remotely like censorship for fear of upsetting their participants. 

Governments like China do a good job of blocking what they deem undesirable for their citizens but not many outside the country would prefer that to the uncensored internet.

Yet a free for all internet ultimately damages its own credibility. 

Even if we bring in some form of world court on libel action,  we still have issues with ex lover's posting their ex boyfriend or girlfriend's private photos as permission was granted before their relationships grew sour.

As to the protection of the identity of the internet provider's client, when should the internet provider turn over that information?  What if the person is doing their false reviews while connected through a free internet connection at the local cafe?
 
Maybe real freedom is not as good as a restrained environment?

But what kind of restraint and by who?