So much for trolling anymore.

That's right folks. Think before you IM someone anonymously and piss them off, because they can have your butt in jail.

You can thank President Bush for signing a prohibition that says you cannot harass anyone online without giving your name. This is his expansion of a previous law that prohibited harassment via the telephone, but instead now, it's to prevent "cyber stalking." Somehow, Congress was convinced to pass this, despite the fact that I, as well as a few others, find the word "annoy" quite vague. How do I know I'm annoying you? If charged with it, you would be fined and can spend up to two years in jail. Better chickaty-check yo' self befo' you wreak yo'self.

Interestingly enough, a similar case in the Supreme Court was made (I lucked out, they both gave me references!) in 1995. In McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commissions, the Court ruled that it was OK to distribute anonymous political pamphlets, on the grounds it defied the First Amendment. So let's see if this one get sent back to be checked out.

w00t.