Online Impersonation

1
Online Impersonation

• Using somebody else's name or likeness to create
  a website or social networking account, or
  sending e-mails, text messages or instant
  messages using their identity
• Already illegal in Texas, Mississippi, Hawaii,
  New York and California
• Laws may soon be passed in Rhode Island,
  Washington and New Jersey

2
California's SB 1411

• This bill would provide that any person who
  knowingly and without consent credibly
  impersonates another actual person through or on
  an Internet Web site or by other electronic
  means, as specified, for purposes of harming,
  intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another
  person is guilty of a misdemeanor. The bill
  would, in addition to the specified criminal
  penalties, authorize a person who suffers damage
  or loss to bring a civil action against any
  person who violates that provision, as
  specified.
• (d) A violation of subdivision (a) is punishable
  by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars
  (1,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not
  exceeding one year, or by both that fine and
  imprisonment.

3
Arguments for the law

• In theory, anybody can impersonate celebrities,
  politicians, and private citizens like you or me,
  for fraud or mischief
• Romney campaign created parody Twitter accounts
  for VP Biden, DNC Chairman Debbie
  Wasserman-Schultz
• Jebidiah Stipe impersonated his ex girlfriend on
  craigslist personals and gave out her
  information over e-mail, resulting in her rape at
  gunpoint
• Daven Lee Nielsen created fake Twitter accounts
  to slander the reputation of a woman he had dated
  and her daughters

4
Arguments against the law

• It's difficult to verify the identity of the
  creator of an account. More personal information
  would have to be provided more often. (and would
  be vulnerable to abuse)
• When the internet is used as a tool for fraud,
  harassment, or other crimes, the perpetrator can
  be prosecuted for those crimes already without
  adding a separate crime.

5
Group 10

• George LaValle
• Deandrea Campbell