anonymous blogging, trolls, misogyny and ethics

[rm]

http://ethicist.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/is-it-ok-to-blog-about-this-woman-anonymously/

Chat amongst yourselves. I'm off to save the world (er, so not really, but let's pretend, okay?)

Comments

[woogledesigns.livejournal.com]

Has anything changed though? As I understand it, there is nothing new about Google being required to submit the known identity of a blogger or commenter in a defamation case. Is anonymity on the internet under threat at all, or are people simply surprised that what they thought was anonymity actually wasn't?

This here is right from the blogger terms of service:
You agree that Google may access or disclose your personal information, including the content of your communications, if Google is required to do so in order to comply with any valid legal process or governmental request (such as a search warrant, subpoena, statute or court order) or as otherwise provided in these Terms of Service

From the LiveJournal Terms of Service:
Should Content be deemed illegal by such law having jurisdiction over the user, you agree that LiveJournal may submit all necessary information to, and cooperate with, the proper authorities;

Aside from deliberate and technical efforts to obscure the traceability of online activity, have we ever been anything more than superficially anonymous on the internet?