Trolling to be Outlawed in Arizona?

Trolling is a part of internet culture, from the pit that is Youtube comments to social networking such as Facebook. The right to troll is under attack in Arizona, however, with a new bill hoping to outlaw the practice.

Both legislative houses passed Arizona House Bill 2549 last Thursday, and the bill is now waiting for approval from Arizona’s governor Brewer.

“It is unlawful for any person, with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend, to use a ANY ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL DEVICE and use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act, or threaten to inflict physical harm to the person or property of any person,” the statute states.

Sticks and stones might break your bones, but names and bad words could find you slapped with a class 1 misdemeanor. Use an electronic device to stalk your victims, however, and it will be upgraded to a class 3 felony.

While opponents of the bill argue that websites such as Reddit, 4chan and anywhere else that allows open commenting could come under fire due to the broad wording of the bill, supporters of the bill claim that it’s a necessary measure to fight cyber bullying.

[Azleg]