Anonymous Communications on the Internet: Uses and Abuses

该项目通过几个相互关联的活动探索互联网上匿名通信的使用和滥用。匿名计算机通信的优点和缺点才刚刚开始研究，由于匿名通信在非网络环境中的价值本身就是一个有争议的问题，这一研究变得更加困难。然而，越来越多的计算机和网络专业人士、律师、社会科学家和伦理学家同意，匿名性是一个重要的问题，需要从不同的角度加以解决。美国科学促进会(AAAS)在早先一个专注于计算机和网络使用和滥用的伦理、法律和技术方面的项目的基础上，计划制定1)标准，列出在哪些情况下匿名通信是可取的(应鼓励的)、可允许的(应容忍的)或不可取的(应被阻止的)，以及2)应鼓励或容忍匿名的情况的初步指导方针。AAA将开展几项相互关联的活动：1)将通过委托文件提供背景信息和指导，这些主题包括匿名通信的个人和社会用途及其后果、与匿名有关的法律问题以及当前和预期的与网上匿名有关的技术能力；2)根据个人在匿名方面的经验编写案例研究；3)召集焦点小组为为期两天的会议制定问题框架，来自不同专业背景和视角的应邀个人将在会上讨论可构成关于匿名的规范和法律标准基础的标准和指导方针。结果将以多种形式传播，包括万维网网页。

This project explores through several inter-related activities the uses and abuses of anonymous communications on the internet. The benefits and drawbacks of anonymous computer communication are just now beginning to be examined, an examination rendered more difficult by the fact that the value of anonymous communication in a non-networked environment is itself a matter of debate. Nevertheless, a growing number of computer and network professionals, lawyers, social scientists, and ethicists agree that anonymity is an important issue that needs to be addressed from a variety of perspectives. Building on an earlier project focusing on the ethical, legal, and technological aspects of computer and network use and abuse, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) plans to develop 1)criteria setting forth contexts in which anonymous communications are desirable (to be encouraged), permissible (to be tolerated), or undesirable (to be discouraged), and 2) preliminary guidelines for those situations where anonymity is to be either encouraged or tolerated. AAA will conduct several interrelated activities: 1) background information and guidance will be provided through commissioned papers on such topics as the individual and social uses and ramifications of anonymous communications, legal issues regarding anonymity, and the current and anticipated technical capabilities pertinent to anonymity on the net; 2) development of case studies based on individual experiences with anonymity; 3) convening of focus groups to frame issues for a two-day conference at which invited individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds and perspectives will discuss criteria and guidelines that can form the basis for normative and legal standards regarding anonymity. Results will be disseminated in a number of forms, including the World Wide Web page.