[kictanet] Online Imposters

[Ali Hussein]

Grace and all

The issue of impersonation is one area that I think is clear on the responsibility of intermediaries. Once an intermediary is alerted and has proof of impersonation then remedial measures should be taken immediately. 

The question that should be asked is:- is it wrong in the eyes of the law? If its an offense to impersonate someone offline why do we think its kosher to do so online? Lets not blur the issues by thinking that the fact that the Internet provides a useful tool for anonymity means that we should use it to impersonate others (usually with malicious intent).

My thoughts.

Ali Hussein
CEO | 3mice interactive media Ltd
Principal | Telemedia Africa Ltd

+254 773/713 601113

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 18, 2012, at 1:39 AM, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Good morning Listers
> 
> Yesterday we had a stimulating debate on prosecuting hate speech online. Ali Hussein pointed out that what is wrong offline is also wrong online and gave the example of impersonation.
> 
> Today, we want to focus our attention on online imposters.
> 
> We have had cases of imposters creating facebook and twitter accounts of known personalities for example of the former government spokesperson Alfred Mutua, Comedian Churchill aka Mwalimu King’gang’ and several politicians. The police have also been impersonated on twitter. 
> 
> In such a case, where is the place of ethics and personal values especially when impersonating other people online? Is there a provision of personal values in our constitution or in any or our legislation that can provide guidance on how to handle online imposters? How should such matters be dealt with?
> 
> Lets hear it from you. This is the second last day to contribute as we will be winding up this debate tomorrow.
> 
> Have a wonderful day.
> Rgds
> Grace
> From: ali at hussein.me.ke
> Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:38:00 +0300
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] Prosecution of online hate speech
> CC: kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> To: ggithaiga at hotmail.com
> 
> Alex and all
> 
> I always find that the simple rules of every day life if also followed on the Internet invariably works albeit with tweaks here and there. What is wrong offline is also wrong online. Impersonation whether off or online is still wrong. The principles of privacy and freedom of expression cuts both ways. 
> 
> I think sometimes we make it too complicated by thinking that the Internet is a unique place where people can get away with things that they probably wouldn't in the 'real' world. Once we accept that the Internet is just another medium which accelerates interaction and blurs community boundaries and accept that the basic tenets of good and bad still remain the same despite the hyper-connectivity enablement we will be the better for it.
> 
> Regards 
> 
> Ali Hussein
> CEO | 3mice interactive media Ltd
> Principal | Telemedia Africa Ltd
> 
> +254 773/713 601113
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> On Oct 17, 2012, at 4:15 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:
> tions.
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