Neterrorism Primer What is "Neterrorism" you ask? Good question. Chances are you have never heard the word before. This is because we made it up. We needed a new word to fit a new set of circumstances. We needed a word that would describe an individual, or organization who engages in terrorism on the net. It happens
dozens of times a day. Cyberstalking, email bombing, ping flooding,
Usenet newsgroup invasions, sporgeries, are
all, to a greater or lesser degree, forms of Neterrorism.
As it stands now most ISP's are just ignoring thousands of complaints and pleas for assistance from users, because they are not required by law to do otherwise. Until recently, victims had no recourse but to bring civil actions against their harrassers, but that is changing. The law is slowly catching up with technology. Many states have recently adopted cyberstalking legislation. Others have similar bills pending. New laws designed to protect Netizens from abuse are being adopted all over the country. It is only a matter of time before we see the federal regulation of ISP's. What is needed are statutes which offer the average user a outlet for relief from bullies. Individuals and hate groups who make no secret of their intent to harass and destroy a resource others are peacefully enjoying. Those who seek to impose their will on others by the use of Cyber force. Roving Usenet torment clubs who hurt innocent people and then laugh about it or the Cyberstalker who makes a woman's life living hell because she refused a dinner invitation. The law is being given a clear choice regarding the Internet and Usenet. Either the judicial system can move to protect Netizens from virtual vandals or vigilantism will rear its ugly head. If the government does not enforce the basic laws of common decency and respect in shared community forums, whether it be a public park, or a public newsgroup, then it is inevitable that the damaged parties will take the law into their own hands. Good or bad, this is basic human nature. The courts and law enforcement are already being called upon to deal with violent disputes that have arisen out of Usenet or email encounters. The Neterrorists are convincing more and more people of the necessity for legally enforceable rules of conduct when exercising one's "privilege" to access Usenet and the Internet. What is happening on the information super highway is not that different from what occurred when the automobile was invented. Driver's licenses were not necessary at first, then more people began driving, then more people began disobeying the rules of common courtesy that had prevailed until that point. Finally, people who had objected to being licensed at first, got tired of being abused and created law to control everyone's behavior when driving. Many people fear that ANY regulation
of Internet activities will result in over regulation. This
is a valid fear. Netizens will have to remain ever vigilant to insure
that their Freedom of Speech is not violated. This is really not
as hard to do as one might think. We have done pretty well with the
airways and print media. As a society we have pretty much determined that
an individual's right to free speech ends at the point that it adversely
affects another individual's rights. The 'ol yelling "Fire" in a
crowded theater principle. Slander, defamation of character, threats, screaming
to create a disruption in a wide variety of circumstances, etc. are all
activities which have been repeatedly held by the courts as NOT being protected
by the right of free speech. All that is left is for our Representatives
to apply these principles to the web. See the other links in our
Neterrorism section for organizations that are making this happen.
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