Chapter 7: Online Anonymity

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Information-Computer-Ethics/dp/0471799599

What I expect to learn?

I expect to learn about online anonymity.

Quote:

“Anonymity may also enhance the development of individuality in so far as it frees one from the possible stifling effects of close and/or traditional social relations.”

Review:

The idea of a kind of naturally occurring, “spontaneous anonymity” is embodied in characterizations of someone as a member of an anonymous mass or in expressions such as “the logic of anonymity in modern life.”  Anonymity may also enhance the development of individuality in so far as it frees one from the possible stifling effects of close and/or traditional social relations. Internet might be thought to undermine self-identity and involvement in community and social interaction Anonymity has sometimes been taken to mean “un-name-ability” or “namelessness,” but that is somewhat too narrow a definition. 8 Marx has offered the following conceptualization of anonymity: “To be fully anonymous means that a person cannot be identified according to any of...seven dimensions of identity knowledge.” The definition of anonymity that I am offering differs from Marx’s in so far as by my definition (1) there has to be some potentially identifying trait that is known, even though it is not otherwise known to whom the trait refers and (2) there is no inherent limit on the kind of trait by virtue of which someone could be anonymous (or, for that matter, known). It is not the uniqueness of a trait alone that enables the picking out of a person, but rather the coordination of a trait with other traits. On one hand, it might be argued that such surveillance is consistent with a morally legitimate interest that a government has in protecting citizens from potential criminal or terror activity. On the other hand, the individual's morally legitimate interests in free speech, privacy and, anonymity might be sufficiently impacted such that one could argue that they outweigh a government's interests in protecting citizen security. Commercial and marketing applications of online tracking might be thought to help businesses, as well as consumers.

What I Learned?

• ·        Anonymity
• ·        Technology use to community safety and help

Integrative Question:

1. What can anonymity enhance?
2. Anonymity definition?
3. What is Marx definition of anonymity?
4. What can trait give us?
5. What is the purpose of anonymity?

Discussion:

What is spontaneous anonymity?

The idea of a kind of naturally occurring, “spontaneous anonymity” is embodied in characterizations of someone as a member of an anonymous mass or in expressions such as “the logic of anonymity in modern life.” 

What can anonymity enhance?

anonymity may also enhance the development of individuality in so far as it frees one from the possible stifling effects of close and/or traditional social relations.

What can Internet do?

Internet might be thought to undermine self-identity and involvement in community and social interaction.

What is Anonymity definition?

Anonymity has sometimes been taken to mean “un-name-ability” or “namelessness,”

but that is somewhat too narrow a definition.8

What has MArx shared?

Marx has offered the following conceptualization of anonymity: “To be fully

anonymous means that a person cannot be identified according to any of...seven

dimensions of identity knowledge.”

What is marx definition of anonymity?

The definition of anonymity that I am offering differs from Marx’s in so far as

by my definition (1) there has to be some potentially identifying trait that is known,

even though it is not otherwise known to whom the trait refers and (2) there is no

inherent limit on the kind of trait by virtue of which someone could be anonymous (or,

for that matter, known).

Whats other meaning of anonymity?

Anonymity defined as nonidentifiability by virtue of noncoordinatability

of traits is a general definition of anonymity that is intended to encompass any

specific form of anonymity.

Why does anonymity achievable?

Anonymity is achievable because there are ways in which persons can deliberately

set up mechanisms by which to block the coordination of their traits with others. But

anonymity may also occur “spontaneously,” as noted earlier.

what can trait give us?

It is not the uniqueness of a trait alone that enables the picking out of a person, but

rather the coordination of a trait with other traits.

What can anonymity be distinguish of?

Anonymity is never complete unknowability.

What is the purpose of anonymity?

Anonymity

presupposes some known fact, action, utterance, or event with respect to which and

in some context some person(s) is (are) not further identifiable; anonymity is a way of

referring to a person(s).

Whyis anonymity importan in security?

The user in such a case presumably desires anonymity as away of

ensuring privacy, that is, nondisclosure of one's person to others

What is the issue about surveillance?

On one hand, it might be argued that such surveillance is consistent with a

morally legitimate interest that a government has in protecting citizens from potential

criminal or terror activity. On the other hand, the individual's morally legitimate

interests in free speech, privacy and, anonymity might be sufficiently impacted such

that one could argue that they outweigh a government's interests in protecting citizen security.

What are the tool in helping consumers?

Commercial and marketing applications of online tracking might be thought to help

businesses, as well as consumers.