Re:'Right to be forgotten' could threaten global free speech...
by conception on Monday September 10, 2018 @04:48PM
(#17955077)
I feel like your second point answers your first. The difference between information sharing in the past and today is obviously the problem of scale. Looking up your neighborhood used to be useful and small chance of people bike locking you. Now, the scale has increased a thousand fold. What was .01% of a crazy hunting you down maybe is 1%? 10%?
Maybe a right to anonymity with the efficiency losses you get there is worth it? Tough issue.
Why should that information be protected in the first place? It's not much different than a phone book. Your full name, address, phone number, etc are all linked to your identity. Once someone has one, it becomes nearly impossible to stop them from getting the others.
The problem with doxxing is that it usually comes with a threat of violence from ideological opponents. I think what many people should be fighting for is the right to anonymity. For your identity to never be revealed in the first place. Free speech can't truly be expressed if having the "wrong" opinion leads to some wingnut smashing your head with a bike lock.