Why You Should Be Mindful Of Allegations, Even When You're Anonymous
Anonymity, or often what's really a form of pseudonymity, is frequently perceived as a kind of immunity from being personally identified and having privacy invaded. However, the nature of anonymity often leads either one of the two outcomes: when individuals lose interest in their assumed identity at best or when their true identity is exposed at worst.
But, the reality is that while anonymity can provide a sense of freedom, it also makes it potentially easier for other people, who may or may not be anonymous themselves, to make false statements about anyone, leading to reputation damage. And, theoretically, it could be worse for those targeted who are operating under anonymity than for those who present as their real selves online.
For example...
One of the challenges faced by anonymous and pseudonymous persons is the burden of proof. Almost everyone in the world agrees that one must demonstrate that the statements made against one were false and damaging to one's reputation.
For anonymous individuals, this can be particularly difficult, especially if their identity is not clearly established.
So it all leads to a situation where allegations are left unchallenged, allowing false narratives to persist. Furthermore, the difficulty in identifying the source of such statements, especially if the one who made these statements is also an anonymous group or individual, complicates it even more. If the situation turns legal, there may be a risk of deanonymisation on the target's part.
In terms of social dynamics, most people in real life are prone to perceive anonymous users as less credible or trustworthy, obviously because, if we're being honest, most people are not responsible with anonymity and use it for bad purposes, if one subscribes to that kind of morality anyway (but that's for another time) and as evidenced by the fact that even the anonymity of the internet often leads individuals to act in ways they might not in real life face-to-face interactions.
This perception, in turn, can embolden others to make unfounded claims, since they may feel that there will be very little consequences for their actions, as the target cannot reveal too much of themselves anyway.
In today's online environments there is very often a mob mentality, where one or more people feel empowered to attack or defame the vulnerable without fear of repercussions, thus leading to many forms of harassment being readily accepted and disseminated. Consequently, targets may find themselves in a precarious position, vulnerable to the whims of public opinion.
Once a rumor goes viral and spreads rapidly across the internet, it can be incredibly difficult for the targets of the rumors to control the narrative surrounding their reputation. This means that even if the statements are proven false, the damage to their reputation may persist.
Anonymous personas who are targeted may lack the resources and support networks that individuals with established identities have (depending on their resources), making it harder for them to seek help or advice in dealing with allegations.
So what to do?
Well, to be honest, there is not much you can do in this situation, unless you have effective and powerful resources or connections. This isn't hopelessness, it's reality.
One can try to be mindful of any language used and consider the potential impact of one's words on others. And practice open, responsible communication (if necessary).
One can also keep records of the whole thing and, if the situation calls for it, reveal it all. However, there is always a risk that there will be accusations of manipulation by the opposing party. Most people will eventually take the easy way out and go permanently radio silent (as in abandon the persona and maybe respawn as an entirely different person with different characteristics).
It's a very complex thing to solve. We don't have all the easy answers to this, and your mileage may vary. We personally believe that it would be more crucial for individuals to engage in responsible communication and accountability. And maybe try not to give too much away.