Impersonation is not illegal in certain contexts both online and offline. For example one can impersonate someone for art like in a play or for parody and satire. Additionally one can also (badly) impersonate someone at a dress up party for instance. Whether the impersonation actually leads people to believe that the person is really the object of impersonation would of course have a bearing on the law. Thus certain types of online impersonation - for obvious parody for example should not be illegal online. Impersonation for parody or political commentary is an age old and legal tradition. However in many instances politicians do not take kindly to it. Impersonation under certain circumstances online should also be protected. We must take care that policing online impersonation does not have adverse side effects such on freedom of speech, and lead to a policing of parody. The case of India could be an important case to look at http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/internet/article3821584.ece Alex Comninos On 18 October 2012 00:39, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote:
Good morning Listers
Yesterday we had a stimulating debate on prosecuting hate speech online. Ali Hussein pointed out that what is wrong offline is also wrong online and gave the example of impersonation.
Today, we want to focus our attention on online imposters.
We have had cases of imposters creating facebook and twitter accounts of known personalities for example of the former government spokesperson Alfred Mutua, Comedian Churchill aka Mwalimu King’gang’ and several politicians. The police have also been impersonated on twitter.
In such a case, where is the place of ethics and personal values especially when impersonating other people online? Is there a provision of personal values in our constitution or in any or our legislation that can provide guidance on how to handle online imposters? How should such matters be dealt with?
Lets hear it from you. This is the second last day to contribute as we will be winding up this debate tomorrow.
Have a wonderful day. Rgds Grace ________________________________ From: ali@hussein.me.ke Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:38:00 +0300 Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] Prosecution of online hate speech CC: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke To: ggithaiga@hotmail.com
Alex and all
I always find that the simple rules of every day life if also followed on the Internet invariably works albeit with tweaks here and there. What is wrong offline is also wrong online. Impersonation whether off or online is still wrong. The principles of privacy and freedom of expression cuts both ways.
I think sometimes we make it too complicated by thinking that the Internet is a unique place where people can get away with things that they probably wouldn't in the 'real' world. Once we accept that the Internet is just another medium which accelerates interaction and blurs community boundaries and accept that the basic tenets of good and bad still remain the same despite the hyper-connectivity enablement we will be the better for it.
Regards
Ali Hussein CEO | 3mice interactive media Ltd Principal | Telemedia Africa Ltd
+254 773/713 601113
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 17, 2012, at 4:15 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> wrote: tions.
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