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Court Orders Identification of Anonymous Web Posters
Justice Kershman of the Ontario Superior Court has ordered a pair of website owners to disclose identifying information about a number of individuals who posted anonymous comments on the website called “Free Dominion” and who now stand accused of defamation by a well known human rights lawyer.
Specifically, Justice Kershman ordered that the website produce email addresses and all personal information about the users, including their IP addresses. Justice Kershman dismissed the website’s argument that there is an expectation of anonymity for users of the Internet using virtual message boards.
This case emphasizes that judges will be increasingly called upon to weigh privacy rights against the rights of those alleging that they have been defamed. The website owners plan to appeal this decision.
For additional information, visit:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/03/25/tech-090325-anonymous-posters.html?ref=rss