New State Laws would Shut Down The Cauldron

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[RandallS]

A law was proposed in Connecticut yesterday (and will soon be proposed in up to 20 other states) that would shut down The Cauldron and most other web sites with message boards, chat rooms, comment posting on blogs, shoutboxes or anything that allows users to post any information and have it appear on the web site, The law would require the web sites to verify the age of all members and obtain verified permission from parents of anyone found to be under 18.

This law is designed to "protect" minors from sexual predators at online sites like MySpace but is written so broadly that it applies to every message board, blog, chat room, etc. on the web. It might even apply to IRC networks and instant messengers.

According to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal as quoted in an article on Wired News "The technology is available. The solution is financially feasible, practically doable." Perhaps it is financially feasible for MySpace, but it is not for 99 percent of the community sites on the web. The passage of such a bill in any state in the US would probably shut TC down.

[Ocelot]

The passage of such a bill in any state in the US would probably shit TC down.

AKKKK! and My first thought was your Randallism - Shit!

[RandallS]

AKKKK! and My first thought was your Randallism - Shit!

If I were dictator, I would have every lawmaker or other government official who proposes such an broad anti-free speech bill executed and those who vote for such bills put in solitary confinement for the rest of their lives.

I corrected the Randallism, BTW.

[Ocelot]

If I were dictator, I would have every lawmaker or other government official who proposes such an broad anti-free speech bill executed and those who vote for such bills put in solitary confinement for the rest of their lives.

I corrected the Randallism, BTW.

I'd join you on that crusade!

[Beachglass]

According to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal as quoted in an article on Wired News "The technology is available. The solution is financially feasible, practically doable." Perhaps it is financially feasible for MySpace, but it is not for 99 percent of the community sites on the web. The passage of such a bill in any state in the US would probably shut TC down.

It may be financially feasible for MySpace, but I doubt it's going to be "practically doable."  How are they going to get, process, verify, and file 100 million permission slips?  And it'll only take one mistake to get in trouble.  I think News Corp will fight this hard.

Alternatively, you might want to look into overseas hosting. 

[RandallS]

Alternatively, you might want to look into overseas hosting. 

This is the US.  Overseas operation isn't enough. Look at are the gambling sites that our hosting overseas by companies owned and operated by foreign citizens living in foreign countries who the US government is going after.

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

A law was proposed in Connecticut yesterday (and will soon be proposed in up to 20 other states) that would shut down The Cauldron and most other web sites with message boards, chat rooms, comment posting on blogs, shoutboxes or anything that allows users to post any information and have it appear on the web site, The law would require the web sites to verify the age of all members and obtain verified permission from parents of anyone found to be under 18.

This law is designed to "protect" minors from sexual predators at online sites like MySpace but is written so broadly that it applies to every message board, blog, chat room, etc. on the web. It might even apply to IRC networks and instant messengers.

According to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal as quoted in an article on Wired News "The technology is available. The solution is financially feasible, practically doable." Perhaps it is financially feasible for MySpace, but it is not for 99 percent of the community sites on the web. The passage of such a bill in any state in the US would probably shut TC down.

That is one of the dumbest things I've ever seen.  (and this is me waiting for a while so I didn't just throw in a pile of profanity).

It's not doable.  It's crazy.  It's shutting down ALL peer-to-peer communication on the web.

And at that point, what's the point?  gods.

[disillusioned]

But such sites aren't used only by Americans.  Are they proposing an attempt to legislate the whole world?

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

But such sites aren't used only by Americans.  Are they proposing an attempt to legislate the whole world?

Yup.  If anyone in their state uses it, they think their law applies.

crap, isn't it?

[Elisabette]

Yup.  If anyone in their state uses it, they think their law applies.

crap, isn't it?

I think (I hope) most nations would be reluctant to allow their citizens to be extridited (sp?) for breaking Connecticut law outside the US.  That whole sovereignty thing, y'know.  That wouldn't be any real help to Americans trying to host sites overseas, though.

Damn. This is insane.

Betty

[April]

Rar!  The problem is that we expect the government to be responsible for the protection of our children.  Parents need to know what their children are doing and talk to them about the consequences of their actions.

Sure kids will be kids.  They will do things without telling their parents.  But parents need to educate them on the dangers.  They also need to let the children know that they CARE about what they are doing even if the children have freedom to do what they want.

It's also abuse and neglect in childhood that creates many of the sexual predators in the world today.  It is a lack of attention, a lack of love, and a lack of education that is perpetuating the vicious cycle.

Shutting down message boards and chat rooms is not going to protect our children.  The internet does not create predators or put children in harm's way.  Bad parenting does that.  Stricter laws are no replacement for love and attention in the home.  Unfortunately, that's the best our government can do. 

[Fausta]

Aelf'en - that they are practically trying to do.

[sailor_tech]

But such sites aren't used only by Americans.  Are they proposing an attempt to legislate the whole world?

Effectively, yes the US (or rather one state in the US) is going to try and dictate laws to the rest of the world.

Of course the Europeans did this and the US response was that any country that tries it on a US citizen will see Brussels nuked.

[sailor_tech]

Good news, I think it would be struck down as interfering with interstate commerce.

Bad news, it would cost tens of thousands of dollars to fight.

Worse news, it would only be used against a small operation, ala Cauldron not on a big site that could actually fight back.

We already see such selective reading of laws. For example, MS Windows from 98 onward is illegal in Virginia due to NAT.

[Pyperlie]

IMNSHO, there's a special place in Hell for everyone involved in this potential cluster****.

We already see such selective reading of laws. For example, MS Windows from 98 onward is illegal in Virginia due to NAT.

What's "NAT?"

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