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Anonymous Cowards
The power of online anonymity has turned reputation and privacy
on their heads. Before the Internet, everyday conversations were held
face-to-face. Natural social cues guided conversation, reducing the
risk of misunderstanding and limiting hostility. Gossipers and at-
tackers could be identified and ostracized if they went too far. Social
norms deterred people from prying too deep into each others’ affairs.
People who spread wrong information could be located and cor-
rected. And the threat of libel lawsuits deterred the mass media from
spreading outrageous lies to large audiences.
But, online, anonymity rules. Thanks to the technology ...