Recently, much questionable mis-information has been posted on local blogs and subsequently deleted with the belief that anonymous screen names offer protection for legal ramifications against libel, slander, defamation or assorted other legalities and that deletion erases liability.
Blogging and internet laws will eventually catch up with the new technology, but it might be wise for those who believe anonymity offers protection to think twice before posting.
New front in the battle against identity theft
The report's findings will add to increasing fears about the unchecked growth of personal information held in Britain and the way it is protected after a security blunder at HM Revenue & Customs in which highly sensitive details belonging to 25 million people were lost in the post. Now, in a far-reaching study of the internet behaviour of young people, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says that 4.5 million web users aged between 14 and 21 could be vulnerable to identity fraud because of the carefree way they give up information on the internet, especially when visiting social networking sites.
The guidance includes warnings that a "blog is for life" and can leave a permanent electronic footprint. "If you don't think you'll want it to exist somewhere in 10 years' time, don't post it."
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