New Arizona law will make Internet trolling illegal

3 April 2012

Anonymous, internet-based antagonism may soon be punishable by law in the American state of Arizona. A new bill, already passed through both legislative houses and now just waiting on the governer’s signature, means any attempts to “terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend” others using “ANY ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL DEVICE” could land a backtraced offender in trouble with the cyber-police.

In full, Arizona House Bill 2549 stipulates that:

“It is unlawful for any person, with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend, to use a ANY ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL DEVICE and use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act, or threaten to inflict physical harm to the person or property of any person.”

Good thing I don’t live there, because that totally describes my weekly Gears of War Wednesday.

Whether or not the bill actually passes remains to be seen. Freedom of speech is kind of, like, important too.

Illegal

Source: Kotaku

Related Articles

Cool gaming lifestyle items

iPad 3: SA price comparison

The best ADSL ISP in SA according to consumer survey

4 gaming gadgets that didn’t make the grade

5 Tech demos that made an impact

You have read 1 out of 5 free articles. Log in or register for unlimited access.
  1. DenSweeP
    04.04.2012 at 07:34

    I’m offended and annoyed by the new law being passed. Can we please have the law makers arrested and prosecuted now?

Read now

The best gaming website in South Africa
MyGaming proudly displays the “FAIR” stamp of the Press Council of South Africa, indicating our commitment to adhere to the Code of Ethics for Print and online media which prescribes that our reportage is truthful, accurate and fair. Should you wish to lodge a complaint about our news coverage, please lodge a complaint on the Press Council’s website, www.presscouncil.org.za or email the complaint to [email protected] Contact the Press Council on 011 4843612.