Should internet users have a right to their privacy?

[duffield1]

If you write into your local newspaper with a 'letter to the editor', you have to provide your name and address. You can ask for them not to be published, but the act of that seems to deter people from writing unwarranted rants and no-one knowing who they were.

Should the same rule apply to the Internet? So, for example, before you can post information on a site, you have to put in a code from an ID card or passport? Or require a code to log onto the internet, so that all traffic can be tracked, and things like terrorism sites and child porn can be traced back to their origin?

I know it is not practical in a reality, but thought it might make an interesting debate. Woudl you act differently if you knew someone could trace every word you type back to you?

[firefoxxx]

Most people can be traced on the Internet its quite easy,you also have to be a little sneaky to get the information..

Would i behave differently or my surfing habits change...i don't think they would.at the end of the day somebody is always watching big brother if you like,i think we all know it but choose to ignore it...

[TannazL]

Yes, they should have their right to privacy!

Except of course if they want to bare their entire lives on this forum!

[duffield1]

But what if the right to privacy breaks other laws? You could argue that the internet is the primary source ofchild pornography these days. If people could be very easily identified on-line (and thus arrested for seeking and using child porn, rather than the months of investigations that police forces around the world currently have to do), would it be such a large problem?

Similarly, does the right to privacy over-write the requirement to take responsibility for your actions? If I write racially inflammatory words, shoudl I be able to hide behind the coward's mask of internet anonimity, or should I have to stand up as a real person for what I said? Does the argument of anonymity absolve me of responsibility for anything I write?