The Dark Side of Internet Anonymity: A Double-Edged Sword
Internet anonymity, often referring to the ability for a user to interact online without revealing their true identity, often using aliases or virtual identities to hold appearances on the wide web.
Generally achieving this point of anonymity isn't all that difficult; exchanging real life identities for pseudonyms, making use of tools such as VPNs and proxy servers to mask your IP address and location to protect your online activity to encrypting your communication channels. Of course, with all this in consideration, true inline anonymity is something that is nigh near impossible to achieve due to the nature of digital footprints. To the average internet user though typical anonymity has become the cornerstone of online expression.
Empowering whistleblowers, introducing a shield for vulnerable voices to preach their stories and even honest and free discourse in an otherwise oppressive environment, all have been proven that individuals have benefitted in this ability. However with great power, comes great power responsibility as they say and as liberating as the anonymity can be, it carries profound ethical dangers and extremely limited etiquettes that our current cyberlaws are still struggling to address.
1. The Lack of Accountability
One of the most noticeable and significant worry is the declining sense of accountability. Behind the veil of secrecy and throwaway accounts, users often believe and are free to say things and condone actions that would otherwise be at the very least, morally questionable in a real life setting. Such has led to a concerning rise of cyberbullying, harassment of all kinds and hate speeches. Look anywhere in sections of the internet and you will quickly discover the lack of filters, condoning hateful, negative comments which include sexism, racism, xenophobia and much more distasteful negativity.
Social platforms such as Reddit, 4chan and certain parts of X, also famously known as Twitter have notoriously become breeding grounds for toxic behaviors, all which encouraged by the knowledge that they are unlikely to face real world consequences. While there has been practices, both by professional and individual organizations to take legal action over the tracked individual preaching and indulging in this form of hate, it is only a small justice in a sea of cruel and hate. Being able to remain anonymous no longer is simple benefit of privacy, rather a shield for not the oppressed but the oppressor.
2. The Spread of Misinformation
While it is a well understood fact that we often rely on the Internet as a means to learn, gather information and keep update with the latest trends, the freedom to share whatever information with little to no reprimand is n open invitation for misinformation to spread like wildfire. Anonymous accounts are notorious for being the main contributor to the spread of disinformation. Ranging from conspiracy theories of varying ludicracies, false medical advice that lead to severe medical malpractices to deepfakes further enhanced by the advancement of AI. The ability to spread these negative and harmful content without suffering any reprimand makes for a near impossible way to track its original source. Inevitably, this has caused a deterioration of information amongst users and social fabric of truth to lay non-existent which can already be seen within the world with how distrustful the current generation has when consuming Internet media.
3. Illegal Activities and Radicalizations
A globally accepted platform for individuals of any walks of life to share their interests, branch their socials and even using it as a means of income also indicates that users may exploit this freedom and with the ability to remain completely anonymous, crime is never without. Facilitating illegal activities such as human trafficking, drug distributions and even the dissemination of extremist ideologies, animosity has become the fail safe for crime. While debatably carries it benefits, encrypted messaging apps and dark web forums are used to evade cyber law enforcements and remains a breeding ground to recruit individuals into these harmful social movements.
The Ethical Dilemma ?
Having all of this said and done however It's important to note that anonymity isn't inherently unethical and can in fact become our ally in becoming a critical tool to establish social justice. Abuse victims, political protesters and whistlebloweres alike will often rely on this benifit to protect their identity and safety, being able to hide in the shadows while keeping their voices heard.
The dilemma presenta is when this anonmity is used not to avoid presecution but to avoid responsibility- hiding their words of hatred and less than savory actions behind a wall of secrecy.
It is here where we beg the question of whether social platforms and governmental services should commit to identifying and regulating the criminal and hateful acts conducted by anonymous users. It arises the concern on where we as a society, draw the line between safety and surveillance.
NOORUL AMIRAH BINTI SHAHRUL HISHAM
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