I’d like to talk about blogging rules, and ethics……and respect. I’ve thought about this a few days now, and decided I wanted to discuss it.  I’d like to know what you think. Is there ever a reason for a blog owner to post someone’s IP address? Is that an unethical thing to do? That’s the question. I could be off base, but I say it is unethical and there’s not a reason on earth to do it.

One of our commenters had an experience on one of the “big boy” blogs this week. He typed something that the owner of the site didn’t like. I didn’t see the comments, so I don’t know what it said, other than what the commenter told me it said.  But I don’t believe it was vulgar or insulting to anyone in anyway. I guess the point is, even if it WAS vulgar or insulting…….I would think having the power to delete comments and ban that person would be enough.  The owner of the site deleted his comments. He then banned him from posting comments. He then went in and posted his IP address where his comments had been, for the world to see.

 Why would anyone do that? Why wouldn’t banning the person be enough? What on earth would make you do something like that, other than you’re an asshole?  Is there EVER reason to do that?  Ethically, I just believe it’s wrong. I would think banning someone would be quite enough.

When the commenter emailed the blog, the response he got in regard to his IP being put out for the world to see: As for your IP address, there is no identifying information whatsoever in an IP address. It would take a court order for anyone to identify you via your IP. Again, the only way anyone could identify you is by you choosing to publish your own name in the comments, and in that case, the IP address would be superfluous to any attempt to identify you. I don’t think the commenter’s concern was being identified by name, nor do I believe the owner of that site thought that was the commenter’s concern.

From what I’m told, with a “modern” computer system, it’s not likely you will get hacked if your IP address is made public. It’s just a matter of respect and ethics. Either post EVERYONE’S IP addresses, or don’t do it at all. It’s just wrong. I can’t imagine, in my wildest dreams, why banning someone would not be enough. Why you’d stoop to a level of unethical behavior as to post someone’s IP address is beyond me. If you have a blog, it’s a given that people are going to make comments that you don’t agree with or like. If you’re point of having a blog is to hear nothing but what you’d like to hear……. well……. that’s just not going to happen.

So……. bloggers beware. Be sure to read commenting policies. (although I doubt any blog states if they ban you, they are also going to post your IP address). Know that when you post comments on a blog, the owner of that blog is free to do whatever he/she likes with your posts and is free to be an asshole and post your IP address if they don’t like what you write.

You’ll notice there are no commenting policies here at Blue Herald. That’s because the policy is simple. Free Speech baby! I will not delete comments. I will not alter comments. I am thankful for the readers who are here, and even more thankful when they comment on what they’ve read.  I may not agree with you, but I respect your right to say it.  And I also respect your privacy and right to it.  

 How boring it all would be if we all had the exact same opinions and thoughts.