You might be thinking that you can easily go anonymous via social media.
Cybersecurity specialist Jeff KosseffHe warned people that they are losing the ability to remain anonymous online. He said he thinks “everyone should be concerned about being able to be tracked by companies and by the government and want to figure out a way to avoid that outcome.”
Kosseff authored These Twenty-Six Words That Created the InternetJust released, a brand new book entitled Anonymous, United StatesAbout the First Amendment Protections for Anonymous Speech.
This book traces the evolution of anonymity in free speech, from American colonial writings written under pseudonyms to anonymous online names. Kosseff explained that anonymity is a First Amendment right for speakers who would otherwise have been silent. Kosseff explored also the issues of privacy on social media. “[P]eople don’t realize that data points, even if they don’t contain your name, can identify you,” said Kosseff in an MRC Free Speech America exclusive.
Anonymous, United StatesKosseff vividly described how users can be identified by social media posts. He recalled a 2015 presentation given by Navy Lt. Zac Dannelly who demonstrated software that could “build geolocation-based profiles” using public social media posts. Kosseff says Dannelly was inspired by a West Point student.
“With a few clicks, Dannelly managed to trace his movements, pinpointing details such as the cadet’s hometown (and, in fact, home address thanks to geolocation tags on his social media posts) and where he visits for vacation,” Kosseff wrote. “All this came not from highly sensitive databases of confidential information, but social media posts and check-ins that the cadet voluntarily provided to the world.”
Kosseff explained to MRC Free Speech America that when users offer multiple pieces of information about themselves “there might only be one person that meets that profile.” He said geolocation data embedded in photos is one example of identifying information. His book also mentions web browsing history. This can be linked to links shared by users on social media.
Kosseff said collection of personally identifiable information is “an intrusion on our anonymity and our privacy rights.” He also noted that many Americans don’t care they’re being tracked even if they know they’re not anonymous. “I think too often there’s this idea of ‘Well, I don’t have anything to hide so, therefore, I don’t care about it.’ And, I mean, personal information can be misused in so many different ways,” he said, citing authoritarian regimes that profile citizens.
He offered some solutions for the increasing intrusions on privacy and anonymity. In the book, he called for a national privacy law, pointing out that “[m]any state and federal laws already impose greater protection for medical records, student data, and bank account information.” He told MRC Free Speech America, “Even though California, Virginia and Colorado are the only states that have these data protection laws, there are a lot of companies that will honor requests [to delete personal information] from anyone.” However, he emphasized that the “main tool” for protecting user data “is just to be really careful about what you post online.”
Conservatives are being attacked.Your representatives should be contacted to insist that Big Tech is held accountable to the First Amendment, while maintaining transparency and anonymity. If you’ve been censored, contact us at the CensorTrack Use the contact formHelp us to hold Big Tech responsible.
Extras Anonymous in the United States: The First Amendment and Online SpeechPublished by Cornell University Press. Cornell University Copyright.
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