[kictanet] Anonymity

[Brian Munyao Longwe]

Alex,

While I agree with you that many of the reasons you have cited are
appropriate for anonymity under certain circumstances, there are some
people who choose the cloak of anonymity merely to create a fuss, cause
trouble, incite others and other negative agendas, I believe that it is
such to who Bantu is referring.

I would like to believe that this forum is one that promotes transparency.

Brian

On Sat, Feb 9, 2013 at 3:23 PM, Alex Comninos <alex.comninos at gmail.com>wrote:

> Bantu, thanks for initiating this interesting and very important
> conversation.
>
> Anonymity has plenty of legitimate uses.
> - Women children and vulnerable groups seeking help on abuse or sexual
> abuse
> - Discussions in LGBT communities in societies in which certain
> sexualities are illegal or persecuted
> - For activists under repressive regimes under which the excersise of
> free speech and association can be deadly
> - can we think of any others?
>
> - child protection:
> I started using the internet in 1996, I was 16, I used IRC (online
> chat), common sense then was that the internet is filled with
> strangers, with motivations that are not clear, and that to be safe,
> one does not use their real name, which I did not. I encountered
> plenty of peadophiles and child predators, they were obviously in many
> cases protected by anonymity, and so was I, I did not use my real
> name, and I masked and spoofed my IP address, thus, unless I revealed
> my real identity, or was tricked into meeting one of these predators,
> I was safe. I wonder how it would be today? if as I child I met these
> people on Facebook - they would know my real name, where I lived, my
> music interests, my friends, etc. If and when I have children, I will
> encourage them to be anonymous online.
>
> Furthermore, of course making a statement online allows someone to be
> a "coward" if they want. It also however allows others to focus on the
> argument they make, rather than to judge the argument by who they are,
> where they work, where they come from, etc... I would propose that
> anonymity can add to more valuable online discussion based on the
> strength of arguments, rather than who makes them.
>
> Online anonymity has many problems, but also many benefits. It is I
> believe essential to internet freedom as we know it today.
>
> On 9 February 2013 08:50, bantu wachanga <bwachanga at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Nge'the,
> > I have since long concluded that the internet came to save
> cowards...they can howl and do all they want here , yet they are right
> infront of you. They cannot do the same in a face to face setting for they
> lack courage. Thank God, anything i post on the net bears my true identity.
> I know there are many that share that with me. Bravo to all that do the
> same for they are true believers of what they say
> >
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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.
>
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