---
title: >-
  On-line privacy and anonymity: case in point
date: 2011-09-06 10:38
modified: 2011-09-06 10:38
lang: en
authors: rysiek
tags:
 - ancient
 - privacy
status: published
pinned: false
---

From a comment in a [discussion](https://joindiaspora.com/posts/430697) on [Diaspora](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaspora_%28software%29):  
> I used a nym(*) through most of the Bush years as I live in a very conservative area and my criticism of the prez and warz was carried in some pretty prominent places. I actually feared for my life. So, I hid behind anonymity.

Surprise! Even in "the land of the free" people exercise their right to anonymity fearing ostracism and persecution for political views.

Now, does anybody have any more enlightening comments as to why we do not need on-line anonymity (as, supposedly, [if you're not doing anything wrong you have nothing to hide](http://gawker.com/5419271/google-ceo-secrets-are-for-filthy-people)) and how [nobody wants on-line privacy](http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jan/11/facebook-privacy)?.. I'm looking at you, Schmidt and Zuckerberg!

**) "[nym](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymwars)" - pseudonym*