Anonymous online commenters are the target for a new bill being proposed in Albany. The Internet Protection Act hopes to give administrators the power to take down anonymous comments unless the author agrees to identify themselves on the post.

According to the two state lawmakers behind this bill, the goal is to curb cyberbullying and empower the users in online communities. If the bill is passed, web users who make a statement which is viewed as bullying, defamation, and/or harassment, can be reported by others in the forum to the site administrator. If the bill is passed, the administrator then would have the right to request that the user attach their name to their words, as well as verify the accuracy of their IP address, real name, and home address. If the commenter refuses, the post will be taken down.

Senator Tom O'Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and by GOP Assemblyman Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) are sponsoring this legislation. In a news conference earlier this month, O'Mara said this bill would "help lend some accountability to the internet age". At the same conference, Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun (R, C, I-Blooming Grove) is quoted as saying:



Not everyone is in support of this proposed bill, however. The Huffington Post reports that the bill will likely be challenged as unconstitutional and a violation of the First Amendment. Last month, Gawker built anonymous comment profiles directly into their system as a way of showing their support to the freedom of anonymity. California Anti-SLAPP Project (CASP), a public interest law firm, calls anonymous comments freedom against "the tyranny of the majority".

A Facebook group has even been created for those who oppose this new legislation.

Currently the bill does not have any votes after being introduced to the Senate and the Assembly.