The basic idea at this stage is to define actionable trolls and trolling practices and take appropriate legal action, including prosecution. It has a long way to go, but it’s a promising first step at least.
The CPS method is pretty doable — identify trolls with fake IDs, and target actionable offenders:
Identification – Trolls are easy enough to spot.
IDs – Fake IDs are also easy enough to identify with basic dashboard and other resources. (There are multiple ways, none of which I’m going to provide — why give trolls any info?)
Actionable trolling – Trolling which is actionable includes credible threats, “grossly offensive communications,” harassment, revenge porn, and other wonderful examples of humanity at its least impressive.
The question is whether this approach can go far enough in ridding the world of trolls. The CPS, naturally is subject to legal constraints and definitions, unlike trolls. How effective it can be, in the face of U.S. and EU coma/apathy, is also debatable. A lot of the world’s internet trolling comes from these two sources, and bullying in particular is chronic. In fairness, though, the UK does have a serious troll problem, and in its jurisdiction, this is a major step forward.
A very necessary formal step
This could set a precedent for global legal action, if it works, and it’s desperately needed. For all the talk of anti-bullying measures, little or nothing has been done to actually shut down real bullying or serious harassment, like the disgusting “truthers” who claim the Sandy Hook massacre of grade school kids never happened and have been harassing parents, for example. Legally, that’s defamation, harassment, and at least implied threats, in some cases, all of which are actionable in most Western countries. Nothing has ever been done in these areas, to my knowledge.
“Laws” and useless anti-bullying and anti-harassment campaigns
For the record, because it’s important — nor has a lot really been done to remind people that online trolls can often be simply blocked. You can block anyone. When there’s thousands of them, you should be able to approach the website for a blanket block remedy, or simply have a private, friends-only contacts, like Skype.
The truly sick thing is that bullying is now accepted, in practice, if not in press releases designed to escape blame for totally unacceptable, arguably psychopathic, behavior. Bullying makes news every day, around the world. Kids still commit suicide every day to the sound of “How sad,” not “Get the bastards responsible.”
Legally, if trolls behaved in person the way they do online, they could definitely be charged. Why there’s some distinction between online and in person is highly debatable. A threatening phone call is actionable, but not a troll message, in writing, online?
Fake IDs are also illegal in basic commercial law. If you use a fake ID, you don’t have a toenail to stand on, legally. Websites don’t have to provide services to non-people. An easy fix and good reason for troll-eradication, and not exactly front and center of the troll debate issues.
Troll sites not in the CPS mix?
One noticeable omission from the CPS approach is any direct reference to serial-offending websites, and there are plenty of them. Forget Facebook; these sites are rest homes for the Internet’s worst. They’re a virtual troll industry sector. They have one thing in common — targeting individuals. It may be done through sleaze, threats, doxing (publishing private details, address, etc.) and other potentially serious security risks. Sites include right wing hate sites, nutcase sites, hackers, and the “dark web” sites.
These vermin are for destroying. There is no excuse for trolling, harassment, or bullying of any kind. This isn’t the GOP or some other freak show zoo. Nobody will miss these scum, whatever the solution turns out to be. Good luck to you CPS, but consider widening the net to get the big fish, not just the minnows.
