Posted by Shapley Hunter on Thu, Jun 13, 2013, at 4:23 PM:
It applies only in France (right now), but is indicative of what happens when free speech runs afoul of hate crimes laws, or perhaps I should say when hate crimes laws run afoul of free speech.
"Twitter will have to reveal the names of France-based users posting anti-Semitic messages, after a Paris court refused to consider the firm's appeal.
"In January, the Paris High Court told the firm to reveal the data directly to France's Union of Jewish Students (UEJF) and four others, if requested.
"The groups filed a complaint following several instances of racist tweets.
"Twitter blocked the posts in France, but appealed against the decision to hand over user IDs.
"The micro-blogging service still has not revealed any of the requested identities, and is now thinking of appealing again, said the firm's spokeswoman.
"We are disappointed that the court has decided not to hear our appeal. We are considering our options, including resubmitting the appeal," she said.
"On Wednesday, a Paris appeals court ruled that the firm had not managed to present convincing enough evidence for withholding users' identities.
"Twitter also failed to set up an "easily accessible and visible" way for people to notify the site's management team of any content deemed to constitute an "apology for crimes against humanity and incitement to racial hatred".
"The firm was ordered by the Paris high court to create such a system at the time of the initial ruling."
Replies (2)
Don't the fools know real names and IP addresses will be provided when laws are broken?
-- Posted by CSIP2016 on Fri, Jun 14, 2013, at 6:38 AM
Many do not, and many not think their free speech runs afoul of the law. Keep in mind "hate", "racism", and "anti-Semitic" are often in the eyes of the beholder.
-- Posted by Shapley Hunter on Fri, Jun 14, 2013, at 7:04 AM
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It applies only in France (right now), but is indicative of what happens when free speech runs afoul of hate crimes laws, or perhaps I should say when hate crimes laws run afoul of free speech.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22887988
"Twitter will have to reveal the names of France-based users posting anti-Semitic messages, after a Paris court refused to consider the firm's appeal.
"In January, the Paris High Court told the firm to reveal the data directly to France's Union of Jewish Students (UEJF) and four others, if requested.
"The groups filed a complaint following several instances of racist tweets.
"Twitter blocked the posts in France, but appealed against the decision to hand over user IDs.
"The micro-blogging service still has not revealed any of the requested identities, and is now thinking of appealing again, said the firm's spokeswoman.
"We are disappointed that the court has decided not to hear our appeal. We are considering our options, including resubmitting the appeal," she said.
"On Wednesday, a Paris appeals court ruled that the firm had not managed to present convincing enough evidence for withholding users' identities.
"Twitter also failed to set up an "easily accessible and visible" way for people to notify the site's management team of any content deemed to constitute an "apology for crimes against humanity and incitement to racial hatred".
"The firm was ordered by the Paris high court to create such a system at the time of the initial ruling."
Replies (2)