Uh Oh, rEv's really screwed now...

[Seth]

New Zealand makes internet 'trolling' illegal
Supporters believe it will help mitigate the harm caused by cyber-bulling but critics say it is a threat to free speech
man typing on keyboard in the dark
The law will help mitigate the harm caused by cyber-bulling Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Flynn Murphy, Sydney

10:20AM BST 08 Jul 2015

Internet trolls face up to two years' jail in New Zealand under a controversial new law which bans “harmful digital communications”.

And under a parallel amendment to New Zealand's Crimes Act, a person who tells another to kill themselves faces up to three years in prison.

The law will help mitigate the harm caused by cyber-bulling and give victims a quick and effective means of redress, supporters said.

But critics said the law harms free speech and its fine print could threaten public interest journalism in the country.

• Online abuse: how to live a happy troll-free life on the internet

Under the Harmful Digital Communications Act in effect from this week, anyone convicted of “causing harm by posting digital communication” faces two years in prison and a $50,000 (NZ) (£6,500) fine, while businesses face fines of up to $200,000 (NZ).

Harmful communications can include truthful as well as false information, and “intimate visual recordings” such as nude or seminude pictures or video shared without permission.

The bill was introduced after a public outcry over the horrific "Roast Busters” scandal, in which a group of teenage boys from Auckland was accused of sexually assaulting drunk, under age girls and boasting about the acts on social media.

But in an editorial, New Zealand’s Dominion Post said while the law's intentions were good, it went too far and could "pick up in its drift-net the sorts of noise and criticism that make for the talk of a free society”.

Noting it effectively bans online communications judged “indecent”, “false” or “used to harass an individual”, the Post asked if reports on political expense scandals, or cartoons that mock religious figures, may also be banned under the legislation.

The bill passed the New Zealand parliament with an overwhelming 116 to 5 majority.

Speaking against the bill, Greens MP Gareth Hughes said while its intent was noble, its definition of “harm" was “irresponsibly broad”, and said the law could damage journalism in the country.

Arguing what was not an offence offline should not be an offence online, Mr Hughes criticised the fact reporters were not exempt from the legislation, which he said may prevent them publishing online the same story about a corrupt MP which would be perfectly legal to publish in a newspaper.

[Brian Peacock]

Good job it's not against the law here, eh Seth? Eh? Eh?

[Blind groper]

It is too early to see how this will be interpreted. The intent is clear. It is not to penalise idiots, but to prevent genuinely nasty, malicious personal attacks of the kind that can drive vulnerable and sensitive people (especially teenagers) to suicide.

I suspect it will require several court cases before the exact way it is interpreted is clear. Personally, I think that the kind of total asshole who will be convicted under this law deserves everything he or she gets!

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Currently, there is no extradition treaty between Rationalia and New Zealand. Our only officially sanctioned extradition arrangement is with the London Borough of Croydon and dates back to Brian Peacock's unfortunate little incident with the policeman's helmet and the tadpoles.

The staff will handle any requests for extradition on a case-by-case, quid-pro-quo, ad-hoc and tic-tac-toe basis. Unless it's a Tuesday. The extradition office shuts on Tuesdays for Lent.

[Blind groper]

No. Even though Seth is a self admitted troll, he has not committed the kind of utterly malicious on-line crimes this law was set up to catch. I say this because I know from watching, that Rationalia members are unusually thick skinned, and seriously unlikely to commit suicide because of something someone posts.

[DaveDodo007]

It's OK when rEv does it because it is for The Greater Good.

[Seth]

No. Even though Seth is a self admitted troll, he has not committed the kind of utterly malicious on-line crimes this law was set up to catch. I say this because I know from watching, that Rationalia members are unusually thick skinned, and seriously unlikely to commit suicide because of something someone posts.

Er, the point is that you don't get to make that determination, some bureaucrat or prosecutor with a personal or political agenda does, and if they want to fuck with you, they now can.

Silly asses.

The good news is there's fuck-all they can do to me or anyone else outside of NZ.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

No. Even though Seth is a self admitted troll, he has not committed the kind of utterly malicious on-line crimes this law was set up to catch. I say this because I know from watching, that Rationalia members are unusually thick skinned, and seriously unlikely to commit suicide because of something someone posts.

Er, the point is that you don't get to make that determination, some bureaucrat or prosecutor with a personal or political agenda does, and if they want to fuck with you, they now can.

Silly asses.

The good news is there's fuck-all they can do to me or anyone else outside of NZ.

Unless we choose to extradite you, of course. It is here that cheesy gifts to the staff larder can come in handy...

[Blind groper]

some bureaucrat or prosecutor with a personal or political agenda does, and if they want to fuck with you, they now can.

You say this, Seth, because you do not understand NZ law (or NZers). Our officials are not like American officials. They are not corrupt. Nor do they abuse their powers to carry out personal agendas. So, no. This law will not be abused.

[Seth]

some bureaucrat or prosecutor with a personal or political agenda does, and if they want to fuck with you, they now can.

You say this, Seth, because you do not understand NZ law (or NZers). Our officials are not like American officials. They are not corrupt. Nor do they abuse their powers to carry out personal agendas. So, no. This law will not be abused.

Yeah, right. You just keep right on believing that as they march you to the showers.

[Brian Peacock]

Currently, there is no extradition treaty between Rationalia and New Zealand. Our only officially sanctioned extradition arrangement is with the London Borough of Croydon and dates back to Brian Peacock's unfortunate little incident with the policeman's helmet and the tadpoles.

The staff will handle any requests for extradition on a case-by-case, quid-pro-quo, ad-hoc and tic-tac-toe basis. Unless it's a Tuesday. The extradition office shuts on Tuesdays for Lent.

Look, I explained all that to the Jury who, in their wisdom, found in my favour. I refuse to be harangued in this libellous fashion, especially as the Judge discharged me without charge and accepted my explanation in full; that I found the officer's helmet on a wall when I needed something to carry some hot tapioca to a sick widow. The facts are that a simple 'wardrobe malfunction', when my belt buckle snapped unexpectedly, meant I had no option but to run into the photobooth that just happened to be nearby. Can we please drop this now? I find all this very distressing and am just trying to put it all behind me and get on with my life.

[cronus]

Suicide is usually a surprise. I wouldn't take a thick skin as having much protective value with suicide. I've noticed a comedic element in the remaining Ratz that hints at several potential candidates in the right circumstances...

[Brian Peacock]

Hmm. To be serious, the law should protect the vulnerable, but one cannot legislate for personal resilience and self-confidence. In the UK, assisting in, or encouraging at person to, suicide is an offence. The problem with internet relations is that they can be vicariously anonymous and therefore relatively, and significantly, incorrigible. I'm not against such a law in principle, but I fear that it being proposed in desperation and after the horse has long ago bolted.

[Hermit]

The good news is there's fuck-all they can do to me or anyone else outside of NZ.

Good news indeed, seeing that rEv does not live in New Zealand.

[DaveDodo007]

Currently, there is no extradition treaty between Rationalia and New Zealand. Our only officially sanctioned extradition arrangement is with the London Borough of Croydon and dates back to Brian Peacock's unfortunate little incident with the policeman's helmet and the tadpoles.

The staff will handle any requests for extradition on a case-by-case, quid-pro-quo, ad-hoc and tic-tac-toe basis. Unless it's a Tuesday. The extradition office shuts on Tuesdays for Lent.

Look, I explained all that to the Jury who, in their wisdom, found in my favour. I refuse to be harangued in this libellous fashion, especially as the Judge discharged me without charge and accepted my explanation in full; that I found the officer's helmet on a wall when I needed something to carry some hot tapioca to a sick widow. The facts are that a simple 'wardrobe malfunction', when my belt buckle snapped unexpectedly, meant I had no option but to run into the photobooth that just happened to be nearby. Can we please drop this now? I find all this very distressing and am just trying to put it all behind me and get on with my life.

So, nothing to do with that bribe then.