Should it be against the law to have a fake Facebook profile?
Lawmakers think it could help stop online abuse and prevent the spread of revenge porn.
As Australia considers whether victims of so-called “revenge porn” should even be allowed to press charges, prosecutors are asking for new powers to penalise those who seek to harass people online anonymously.
In the United Kingdom trolls who set up fake online accounts, for the purpose of harassment or humiliation, could face criminal charges under the guidelines being proposed by the Crown Prosecution Service, the BBC reports.
Fake accounts are often used to spread “revenge porn” – sexually explicit images shared without consent – or in “catfishing”, tricking people into thinking your someone else online.
“Online abuse is cowardly and can be deeply upsetting to the victim,” said director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders, who made it clear the proposal was trying to stop “grossly offensive” behaviour and would not affect things such as light-hearted parody accounts.
Watch John Oliver’s perfect smack down of online misogyny.