Monica Frances T. Hao ITETHIC
00A
Book: Cyber Ethics
Chapter 5.5: The Meaning of Anonymity in an Information Age
Library Reference: N/A
Quote:
The power of information technology to extract or infer identity from non-identifying signs and information has been inventively applied by literary scholars to settling disputes and unraveling mysteries of authorship
Learning Expectation:
In this chapter of the book “Cyber Ethics” I want to learn what does Meaning of Anonymity in an Information Age is all about. How will this chapter help me in appreciating the Meaning of Anonymity in an Information Age? I also want to learn in this chapter if what does the Ethics and the Meaning of Anonymity in an Information Age means? How does it help the industry? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Review:
An understanding of the natural meaning of anonymity, as may be reflected in ordinary usage or a dictionary definition, is of remaining nameless, that is to say, conducting oneself without revealing one’s name. A poem or pamphlet is anonymous when unattributable to a named person, a donation is anonymous when the name of the donor is withheld, people strolling through a foreign city are anonymous because no-one knows who they are. Extending this understanding into the electronic sphere, one might suggest that conducting one’s affairs, communicating, or engaging in transactions anonymously in the electronic sphere, is to do so without one’s name being known. Specific cases that shows sample include:
- sending electronic mail to an individual, or bulletin board, without one’s given name appearing in any part of the header
- participating in a “chat” group, electronic forum, or game without one’s given name being known by other participants
- buying something with the digital equivalent of cash
- being able to visit any web site without having to divulge one’s identity
Lessons Learned:
· Definition of anonymity
· Information generation
· Gatekeepers
· Usage of anonymity
5 integrative questions:
1. What does a gatekeeper do?
2. What is a gatekeeper?
3. What is information generation?
4. What is the difference of anonymity in cyber ethics and in the handbook of ethics?
5. What is the relevance of using anonymity?
