A detailed report on
Russia's disinformation campaign notably never questioned the
fact the Russians had the opportunity, and even right, to post on
the Internet using fake names. The report even notes, "we
respect the privacy rights of fake people." The Senate Select
Committee investigating Russian interference with the 2016
elections commissioned this and another report, and released them
on December 17.
Why do we, and why should we, "respect" "fake
people"? On a deeper level, why would we accept the epidemic
of false and hidden identities that have spread not only
misinformation, but also hate, anger, and fraud, all over
today's primary communications medium?
It all goes back to different times and different circumstances,
when a right to anonymous speech was first recognized. That right
was later broadened, and then applied to the new circumstances of
the Internet.
