It?s terrifying. That is the quasi-official response from industry experts who have taken the time to read and evaluate a new proposed bill that is quietly making the rounds in the Illinois State Senate. Why should small business owners ? much less social media management firms ? care? Because this bill, and others like it, not only have a good chance of becoming law but could radically alter?indeed, totally transform? Internet marketing as we know it. In fact, not just Internet marketing but the very use of the Internet itself. Small business owners will be disproportionately impacted by higher expenses, the need to hire additional staff and the very real threat of penalization for failure to comply. Think it can?t? or won?t happen here? Better think again. Keep reading to find out why this story is so frightening that few others are even willing to consider the possibility?and how lawmakers are using that to their advantage?and your disadvantage. Plus another update on our recurring series on death by taxes for small business owners.
Just When You Thought it Couldn?t Get Worse?
Just when you thought it couldn?t get worse, it seems lawmakers have come up with a plan that could single-handedly wipe out years of small business gains in a matter of months. Think we are being a bit ?over the top?? Sadly, we?re not. It?s not hyperbole but the twisted truth of a newly proposed bill introduced into the Illinois State Senate. It goes by the name of ?Internet Posting Removal Act? but make no mistake about it, bills like this have profound implications for the future of social media marketing and the use of the Internet itself.
Internet Posting Removal Act Explained
In a nutshell, the proposed Internet Posting Removal Act will require a site administrator to remove any posted comment made by an anonymous user. It will become effective 90 days after becoming law and essentially states that any message posted to a social media site, blog response, discussion board, forum or any other means of social online communication must include the real identity, actual name, IP address, home address and other identifying information of the user.
Not the First State to Propose It
Believe it or not, this isn?t the first time a proposal like this has been made. Last year, in 2012, New York proposed a similar measure which was hidden deep inside a cyberbullying bill. It was struck down, not out of fear for the obvious implications for small business and social media usage but rather because of the cyberbully aspect.
Implications for Small Business and Social Media
Of course, the implications for small business are immense. As a social media management firm, we would almost assuredly be swamped with requests for help as it would require a moderator to review each and every posted message made to any company owned website, blog, landing page or social media presence to be monitored for identification information. Immediate removal would be required for messages not attributed to an authenticated identity placing a dire burden on small business owners attempting to go the DIY route. Of course, larger business concerns would also be impacted but less so due to the inclusion of dedicated social media staff able to handle the additional workload.
The Positive Side of the Internet Posting Removal Act
Not surprisingly, there are some who believe there is a positive side to the proposed Internet Posting Removal Act and in truth, even small business entities are likely to agree at least in theory. For example, there is currently little way to prevent an unscrupulous competitor from anonymously posting defamatory information while ?pretending? to be a disgruntled client. Of course, disgruntled clients or ex-employees have also been known to hold a company ?hostage? in order to receive a better discount or exact revenge. By demanding a real identity to be attached to any posted message, small business owners and others have more information available to understand the nature of a complain as well as probably cause and outcomes.
A Not So Subtle Attack on Free Speech?
Civil Rights leaders are claiming this is a not-so-subtle attack on free speech but is it really? Experts point out that privacy is not ?explicitly recognized in the Constitution?. Since the bill (and others like it) do not limit what the person says nor their ability to say it?only requires a real identify is used?most agree it isn?t an infringement. In fact, government entities and even product reviews already place some demands upon those that post messages either by requiring a real identification or making it known that some form of incentive was provided in exchange for a review. ?Will the Internet remain anonymous in the future? According to many industry experts?probably not for long.
Taxing Issues Update
On another note, yet another ?death by taxes? issue has come to our attention. Not surprisingly, the US Postal Service has been seeking ways to stay afloat and one suggestion is a ?very tiny tax on email?. Who made this proposal? Fortunately it wasn?t a Senator or House Rep but rather a Berkely city councilman. However, it does go to show the exact lengths government officials are willing to go to in order to raise much needed revenue. Good idea or bad? Let?s hear your thoughts on today?s timely topics!
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