Roxon calls on Twitter to out trolls

[Jazzy]

Attorney General Nicola Roxon says she will talk with her state counterparts about whether there is need for tougher laws on social media after rugby league star Robbie Farah became the latest high-profile victim of anonymous online abuse.



Federal and state politicians today said they would investigate the need for any legal changes, while Ms Roxon called on Twitter to identify trolls who were breaking the law.



Farah has asked Prime Minister Julia Gillard to enact tougher rules on social media, and NSW Premier has written to the acting PM, Wayne Swan about a review of telecommunications laws.



Ms Roxon said through a spokeswoman the type of behaviour targeted at Farah was ''reprehensible and has no place in our community''.



''Twitter should reveal the identities of the anonymous trolls who are breaking the law by abusing others online and cooperate with any police investigation to help reveal who these trolls are,'' the spokeswoman said.



''The Government is considering what other action, if any can be taken to improve the law in this area. We will also discuss this matter with state and territory Attorneys General.''



Current rules prohibit users from using the internet in a way that is menacing, harassing or offensive. Police work with social media companies to enforce these laws.



It is an offence to use online social media in a way that would be reasonably regarded as menacing, harassing or offensive or to make threats to kill or cause serious harm to another person, the spokeswoman said.



Twitter could not be contacted for comment.

Source



They are now considering action only because a high-profile victim was involved. Looks like us peons don't count.

 

[Sinon]

Who gives a fuck either way? Seriously. There's this handy little feature on Twitter and most other social networks. It's called block/ignore. Instead of making a huge deal about people insulting you over the internet, hit the button and carry on with whatever you were doing before.



Calling someone names over Twitter is basically like sitting in a room and saying to yourself _____ is a _____. It may be rude, but it doesn't do anything to the person you're insulting.

 

[Evil Eye]

Although trolls and flamers should just be banned.