The Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics

Book Review Chapter 7:

Online Anonymity: Kathleen A. Wallace

Library Reference: N/A

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Information-Computer-Ethics/dp/0471799599/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232853902&sr=8-1

Quote:  “anonymity was used to denote a number of things that are connected like nameless, detachment, unidentifiability, lack of recognition, loss of sense of identity, or sense of self, and so on.”

    Although I thought that there was a definite definition for what anonymity or anonymous means, it turns out that there are several descriptions for what it means. It is interesting because some of the denotations stated is what I thought couldn’t be applied. So basically, there are a number of denotations for anonymity.

Learning Expectation:

     Based on the chapter, it should talk about Online Anonymity. As far as I know, anonymous is a person hiding himself from his identity for some reason. They don’t necessarily put anonymous as their user name, but they could use any name for that matter, just as long as their identity hasn’t been compromised. So, I want to see if this chapter can increase my knowledge about online anonymity and it would be interesting how far it would take me.

Review:

    The first thing the chapter discusses is of course, what anonymity means. Although I know already or more or less have a clear idea of what anonymity means, perhaps not everyone knows about it and might sound esoteric to them than how it sounds to me.

It is said that the term anonymity was used to denote a number of things that are connected like nameless, detachment, unidentifiability, lack of recognition, loss of sense of identity, or sense of self, etc. It is interesting to read the concept of anonymity in this chapter. It says that the term is taken or meant by un-name-ability, or nameless. But however, it is said that it’s somewhat too narrow a definition.

Basically this chapter is all about Online Anonymity. It discusses various definitions, different denotations, and the concept of anonymity itself. I’d say it’s an interesting read.

What I’ve learned:

    I have learned that there is no specific definition of what anonymity means. I also learned that the definition depends on a persons point of view, as it is discussed in this chapter the various definitions, and different denotations.

Questions:

1.    Why do people even use anonymity?

2.    Does this mean that everyone has a dark motive?

3.    Who invented anonymity anyway?

4.    Whose fault is it that anonymity was invented?

5.    Should these be banned?

Citation: (Kenneth Einar E. Himma & Herman T. Tavani, 2008)