The use of the Internet as a communications tool has been fuelled by the anonymity afforded to those who use it – enabling all kinds of hate and incitement to be spewed out daily without recourse to those who claim to have been legally affected by those who make their vile and outrageous statements.
Surely the first step in any move by the Security Council to combat this "Internet Intifada" is to insist that all member States impose laws in their jurisdictions compelling all Internet providers to insist on the names , addresses and contact phone numbers being provided by all registered users of their websites - including those seeking to post comments.
These details would be held by the Internet provider and could be subpoenaed in any proceedings brought in a competent court of law by persons claiming to have suffered as a result of any offending publication.
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Large penalties would be prescribed for those providers who failed to check the bona fides of those using the internet.
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power correctly said it was important to protect free speech.
As we consider the task of countering violent ideologies we all must recognize that the common goal of countering terrorist ideology should never be used as an excuse to suppress political dissent. Legal action is a critical tool in the campaign against ISIL but it must not be wielded like a cudgel against those who voice unpopular speech or criticize authorities. Such behavior doesn't prevent violent extremism, it fuels it.
Ending anonymity on the Internet is not a threat to free speech. It does not prevent anyone saying whatever they want to say within the bounds of what is legally acceptable.
Anonymity has been widely rejected by most newsprint around the world.
Popular talk back radio shows have a seven second delete button to filter calls deemed to be outside what is legally permitted.
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Ending anonymity on the Internet – if prosecuted by all UN member States- will lead to those tens of thousands of terrorist internet accounts currently in existence and their would-be successors being quickly and effectively eliminated.
If people are not prepared to reveal their identities – don't publish.
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