OT Should online anonymity be removed?
I would say, yes, it should.
That might seem a little weird coming from someone using a pseudonym but I am (always have been) of the opinion that if you have something to say then YOU should say it rather than hide behind some kind of anonymity.
Why do I use one? Blame the BBC. Many moons ago, in fact, very many moons ago, they deleted my account on their 606 football forum. I was one of the top 3 posters by volume of posts. They even gave me a reason. I had used my real name. They eventually agreed to reinstate my account provided I used a pseudonym. MadAmster was born. Since then I have kept the identity on football fora. It provides consistency at least.
Owners and Moderators of fora are liable for the content of a forum. They can, and have been, handed libel writs that have cost them dear.
When I was owner and mod of the now defunct East Midlands Collective football forum I had cause to remove some posts. With others I requested the poster to re-word it or have it deleted. Reworded and no longer libellous posts were accepted. Failure to take me out of danger of a libel suit saw the post deleted.
This danger that a mod is in is something very mant posters are unaware of.
Lately we've had lots of reports of racist Tweets etc aimed at black footballers. Unfortunately, nobody has been tracked down thus far and hit with criminal and civil suits. They should be.
You are responsible for what you post online but not you alone. The owner/Mod of the site is also deemd responsible.
It is my opinion that all online posting should be done under our own names. When you register for a forum/service you should have to use your own name. Your name, address, email should be verified by the service provider prior to your being eligible to post. You should not be allowed to hide behind anonymity. That simple verification process would stop most, if not all, of the unacceptable online outbursts.
The Law does not allow you to say slanderous things. It does not allow you to write libellous things.
Online anonymity means people feel immune to any consequences of the harmful things they post. The cloak of anonymity should go. Even mine, despite the fact that I am very careful not to post anything libellous that might put Andy and/or FootyMad in danger of a libel suit.
I'd be interested to know your thoughts on this subject.