trollcrime

trollcrime is a form of thoughtcrime in which someone expresses an opinion without giving authorities the real name of a body so it can be punished or executed if the opinion is unwelcome or "annoying" to someone who is friendly to the power figures.

US trollcrime

On January 5th, 2006, U.S. president George W. Bush signed into law a prohibition on posting annoying Web messages or sending annoying e-mail messages without disclosing your true identity. [4] Criminal penalties include stiff fines and two years in prison. The new law has been criticized as an obvious violation of every American's First Amendment right to free speech.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6024695.html?tag=nl.e589

UK trollcrime

A man who posted racist messages on a UK website set up in memory of murdered black teenager Anthony Walker has been jailed for two years and eight months. Neil Martin, 30, of Maghull, posted the offensive remarks just days after the 18-year-old student was killed with an ice axe in Huyton, Merseyside.

He pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to publishing material intended or likely to stir up racial hatred. Judge Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, told Martin he had "trespassed and intruded on the grief of the Walker family". "The intention of the website was innocent, honourable and well motivated," he said.

"You accessed that website and you abused its use. You posted highly abusive, insulting and racist messages on the site."

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/5412558.stm

Canadian trollcrime

There are various cases of Canadian postings being used as evidence in criminal cases based on hate speech laws.

However, far more common in Canada is libel chill and SLAPP suits, civil in nature, which silence forums. Some notable examples include the P2Pnet.net case and attempts by Wayne Crookes to silence all of his critics.