Regulating Online Harms: Tackling Anonymous Hate

Regulating Online Harms: Tackling Anonymous Hate

The expansion of the internet from half a percent of the world population in 1990, to three quarters of the people in the US alone by 2016, has had many advantages. One of these is the ability to communicate with a large number of people anywhere in the world. However, there are also drawbacks to this vast communication ability, particularly when radicals, racists and bullies use online platforms to disseminate hatred and bigotry and adopt anti-social behaviour that often includes hate-speech. Frequently, those utilising an aggressive discourse choose to remain anonymous online, hiding their true identify for nefarious reasons.

Placing restrictions on anonymity of online users has been the subject of a continuing debate. Those supporting these restrictions claim they will reduce bullying and hate speech by promoting accountability. Those opposing restrictions, claim that rights to anonymity and privacy are fundamental, especially for vulnerable individuals, dissidents and others, and should therefore be guarded.

The UK Government’s Online Harms White Paper recommended a review of current law enforcement powers for tackling anonymous abuse and that steps be taken “…to limit anonymised users abusing their services, including harassing others.”

The Antisemitism Policy Trust supports the approach set out in the White Paper. This briefing argues that the effect of anonymity on online discourse is harmful enough to merit regulation that will, on the one hand, allow some degree of anonymity while also reducing harms and protecting users.