A Boon For Online Privacy

Due to the nature of CGM analysis, we are regularly asked questions regarding blogger/poster privacy. Sometimes these questions arise out of a desire to peel-back the semi-anonymity the Internet provides, and sometimes these questions come from the other side, from people or companies concerned with the implications (though to be forthright, the concern stems more from potential impact on corporate reputation than from any moral objections) of privacy breaches.

I have always stated that we will never use information not publicly available, and would dissuade anyone from trying to track down users for any reason other than to redress problems the bloggers/posters identified. But I know not every company takes this sort of position, and as a result was quite pleased when I saw this.

The Delaware Supreme Court just overturned a ruling by a lower court, stating, essentially, that a strong legal standard of harm must be established before forcibly piercing the veil of anonymity, and by doing so at least partially safeguarded the right to free anonymous speech on the Internet.

It’s heartening to see that at least some courts still see value in extending real-world rights to electronic mediums.