It's now illegal to annoy over the Internet

[WhaWhaWha]

Perspective: Create an e-annoyance, go to jail
By Declan McCullagh
Published: January 9, 2006, 4:00 AM PST

It's illegal to annoy

A new federal law states that when you annoy someone on the Internet, you must disclose your identity. Here's the relevant language.

"Whoever...utilizes any device or software that can be used to originate telecommunications or other types of communications that are transmitted, in whole or in part, by the Internet... without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person...who receives the communications...shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both."

Doesn't apply to Canadians yet

 

[acutus]

Let's hope it does...soon.

Sincerely, Jon .

 

[papasmerf]

Without reading the law, it is impossible to comment on it. The editorial posted by CNET is just that.

 

[MuffinMuncher]

There are people on TERB that annoy me, and TERB is on the internet. Can I have them arrested?

 

[papasmerf]

There are people on TERB that annoy me, and TERB is on the internet. Can I have them arrested?

Likely not. This is a Canadian site.

 

[Daddio]

There are people on TERB that annoy me, and TERB is on the internet. Can I have them arrested?

According to the law, not if they disclose their real identities.

 

[BiggieE]

....still......I'd say we've all got BIG trouble........hehe

 

[Dash]

So I'll meet all you guys in prison?

Considering how many girls I harass incessantly online, I'm pretty sure once this law is put into effect in Canada, that I'll be recieving a long list of charges made, of this one specific charge, consecutively.

 

[Daddio]

Four guys meet in a prison yard

Inmate 1: What are you all in for?
Inmate 2: cable theft
Inmate 3: public smoking
Inmate 4: internet spamming
Inmate 1: Geez I'm just in for armed robbery, I had no idea they'd lock me up with such hardened criminals.