New Zealand makes internet 'trolling' illegal

[WestVirginiaRebel]

UK Telegraph:

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.

 

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.

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No trolling allowed.

[Valin]

Not good enough! What is needed is, The Bi-partisan Comprehensive Anti Bad Thing Law 0f 2015.