IP Logs

The readings for this week mentioned the use of IP addresses as a usual component of online communities for such things as being a means to spot or discourage grifters (and to help with moderation. A trail is left by someone when they go to a website. This trail consists of browser names, operating system used, and one’s IP address. Since IP addresses serve as a link for tracing people to their responses, IP addresses are a good way of making real world consequences more associated with online interaction; one can somewhat be held accountable. IP addresses are also concerned with the issue of user privacy.

Recently, Slashdot provided a link to a story about a German Internet Service Provider, ISP, by the name of T-Online, was forced by a federal court to remove IP logs when confronted about a customer and their concern for privacy. The original article can be found here.