NetworkWorld columnist Ms. Smith discusses the future of both anonymity and privacy on the World Wide Web in a column that mentions the NSTIC:
Anonymity equaling a future heinous act seems to be the direction some online security experts are headed. The National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace proposes to do away with anonymous multiple identities in favor of one real identity. Part of the reasoning behind one trusted identity is to do away with crime. But isn't this the same logic of anonymity breeding anti-social behavior and criminals?
According to ReadWriteWeb, Schmidt said of anti-social behavior, "The only way to manage this is true transparency and no anonymity. In a world of asynchronous threats, it is too dangerous for there not to be some way to identify you. We need a [verified] name service for people. Governments will demand it."
Surely, anonymous speech fosters irresponsible speech. But what are the costs of giving up anonymous speech? The column also quotes noted online privacy expert Bruce Schneier arguing:
"If we believe privacy is a social good, something necessary for democracy, liberty and human dignity, then we can't rely on market forces to maintain it."
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