PECULIARITIES OF THE NATURE OF THE RIGHT TO ANONYMITY ON THE INTERNET

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the nature of the right to anonymity on the Internet. Today, the right to anonymity is perceived as an inalienable human right, an element of the right to privacy. Ensuring, on the one hand, freedom of expression on the Internet, anonymity, on the other hand, poses a threat to offenders' avoidance of liability. In this regard, the issues related to the responsibilities for exercising the right to anonymity on the Internet need to be addressed: the consolidation of regulatory requirements and regulations, the issue of authorization of perpetrators, etc. The authors conclude that the essence of the right to anonymity on the Internet generally provides for the possibility of a network user not to be identified by his or her own name when using certain online services or platforms, as well as to take actions aimed at preventing others from identifying him or her, to use a pseudonym (nickname), etc. The factor of anonymity on the Internet significantly contributes to ensuring the freedom of a person in the virtual sphere. However, due to the need to take into account the aspect of responsibility, new horizons of obligations that may be imposed on Internet users for reasons of national security, combating offenses, etc. are emerging. It is determined that the challenge for many States today is to address the issue of «permissiveness» of statements and actions of users of the virtual world, which contributes to the realization of freedom of expression, but can also lead to destructive phenomena in the field of communication and interaction. The most acceptable way out of this ambivalence is to find a «golden mean», a balance that would allow taking into account both the private interests of Internet users and the public and state interests.