[kictanet] Online Imposters

[Barrack Otieno]

+ 1 Alex, i think the law looks at facts if it was commited for the
wrong reasons then it ought to be punished.

Best Regards

On Thu, Oct 18, 2012 at 1:52 PM, Alex Comninos <alex.comninos at gmail.com> wrote:
> Impersonation is not illegal in certain contexts both online and
> offline. For example one can impersonate someone for art like in a
> play or for parody and satire. Additionally one can also (badly)
> impersonate someone at a dress up party for instance. Whether the
> impersonation actually leads people to believe that the person is
> really the object of impersonation would of course have a bearing on
> the law. Thus certain types of online impersonation - for obvious
> parody for example should not be illegal online.
>
> Impersonation for parody or political commentary is an age old and
> legal tradition. However in many instances politicians do not take
> kindly to it. Impersonation under certain circumstances online should
> also be protected.
>
> We must take care that policing online impersonation does not have
> adverse side effects such on freedom of speech, and lead to a policing
> of parody.
>
> The case of India could be an important case to look at
> http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/internet/article3821584.ece
>
>
> Alex Comninos
>
>
>
> On 18 October 2012 00:39, 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.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> kictanet mailing list
>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>
>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.comninos%40gmail.com
>>
>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for
>> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>
>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail.com
>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.



-- 
Barrack O. Otieno
+254721325277
+254-20-2498789
Skype: barrack.otieno
http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/