On Mon, 24 Jun 1996, WorldNet User wrote:
AT&T WorldNet service has banned the sending of anonymous email or posting anonymously.
From the "AT&T WorldNet Service Operating Policies":
(i) Members may not post or transmit any message anonymously or under a false name. Members may not permit any other person (other than an agent acting on Member's behalf and subject to Member's supervision) to access the Service Member's account for any purpose.
I don't have a problem with this, actually, and a brief visit to news.admin.net-abuse.misc would show why. AT&T is selling you access under a given username. If you send a message traceable to AT&T, they are held accountable. I think it's reasonable for them to demand that you make messages traceable to yourself so that you are held accountable. If AT&T bans or monitors access to anonymous remailers, then that's a different kettle of fish entirely, but they're not doing that. The policy above allows you to send a message to an anonymous remailer under your own name.
The no anon rule even beat the no indecency rule, which is second:
I disagree. The below is outrageous.
(ii) Members may not post or transmit any message which is libelous, defamatory or which discloses private or personal matters concerning any person. Members may not post or transmit any message, data, image or program which is indecent, obscene or pornographic.
"Discloses private or personal matters concerning any person"? I guess any discussion of political figures is out. -rich http://www.c2.org/~rich/