THE INTERNET’S POTENTIAL FOR INVESTIGATORS
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can be said to enjoy privacy protection. However, depending on the role
and intentions of the searcher, Internet data that may impact a decision
assumes another character, and must be approached according to some
basic principles. The alternative could result in unfair, arbitrary, or preju-
dicial treatment.
INTERNET POSTS AND THE PEOPLE THEY PROFILE
“On the Internet, nobody knows you’re a dog,” said a famous New Yorker
cartoon in which a dog at a keyboard was speaking to another dog.
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Even
when the name, nickname, “handle,” or other identier of the person of
interest appears on a Web page, one may not know who actually posted it.
Essentially, there are many ways to post material anonymously or fal ...