[kictanet] Online Imposters

Thu Oct 18 14:02:44 EAT 2012

Important differentiation Alex. And I concede that impersonation within those parameters isn't necessarily harmful. What I mean here is the impersonation that has a deliberate harmful skew to it.

Regards 

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

+254 773/713 601113

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 18, 2012, at 1:57 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:

> + 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.
>>> 
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>>> 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
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>> 
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>> 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/
> 
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> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.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.
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