Twitter Reveals Posters' Identities To France (Iran, legal, racist, free speech)

[LauraC]

"Twitter has agreed to hand over the details of people who post racist and anti-Semitic abuse anonymously on the micro-blogging site, it emerged today. Following a long legal battle, the US-based company said it would cooperate with authorities in France who want to bring alleged criminals to justice...Mr Neri told the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris that Twitter ‘data is collected and stored in the United States’ – namely in San Francisco, where the site is based. ‘Should I submit myself to the law of a different country to where I work?' he asked. He added that the differences between French and US laws on freedom of speech have created a ‘huge void, a question mark’."

And then the article says this:

"The breakthrough is a significant test case for the millions who use social media to express hatred and anger without revealing their identities."

Twitter agrees to reveal names of people who post racist or anti-Semitic comments after losing French legal battle | Mail Online

Really? A breakthrough? Keep in mind this is a British newspaper calling it a breakthrough. Can France ask City Data to reveal people's identities because of French law? What about every other country and their laws? Can Iran ask Twitter/City-Data to reveal the names of, just for examples sake - I don't know their laws, anyone who posts pro-gay comments? Anti-Sharia law comments? And Twitter/City-Data just has to hand it over?

[GregW]

Businesses have to operate within the law where ever they happen to be. If some countries do not protect privacy I would say that these websites have to turn over the contact information on the posters.

I suggest that people not post anything they would not say in the public square. I believe it is irresponsible to use anonymity to avoid responsibility. Remember, even in this country, free speech does not include verbal assault.

[EmeraldCityWanderer]

Interesting only the Daily Fail tabloid is reporting this. Where did they get their facts?

Is this going to be another Amanda Knox incident where they reported an innocent person was found guilty?

To quote the Daily Fail..."The trouble with a 'scientific' argument, of course, is that it relies solely on empirical facts."

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by GregW

Businesses have to operate within the law where ever they happen to be. If some countries do not protect privacy I would say that these websites have to turn over the contact information on the posters.

Unless France may be able to take actions locally such as if Twitter had assets in France there is very little they can do. The only leverage they have is blocking the service to French citizens.

US law applies to servers in the US and to get this information would require a court order unless of course the site wanted to hand it over voluntarily.

[GregW]

As if blocking Twitter from a country of 30 million people is a little lever? Given the potential losses Twitter would cave in an instant.