Anonymous Annoyance on the Internet now illegal in the USA

In an absurd move, the US has outlawed annoying people over the Internet without reviewing your true identity as part of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005.

The law states “intent to annoy.” How can anyone be sure if I’m intending to annoy them? Maybe I was being funny or engaging in debate or discussion. Does telling someone they are a “stupid wrong-headed jerk” via a blog comment qualify? The stakes are high with an up to 2-year jail sentence.

So what is my true identity anyway? ted@demop.com? Ted Demopoulos? Do I need to attach my social security number or a good photo? And to whom must I reveal my true identity?

This has been called a “Blatantly Unconstitutional Law” by many. Something about freedom of speech . . .

Maybe this vague law will just be enforced selectively, so the Feds can go after bad people only, which is of course anyone they don’t like. That may include you or me . . .

Here is the Electronic Frontier Foundation's take on it.