The Candid Review: A Blog About Appeals

Omegle & Julissa Romero 

In response to highly publicized child abductions, the United States Congress passed the Missing Children’s Assistance Act in 1984. From this Act the National Resource Center and Clearinghouse on Missing & Exploited Children was formed to use the federal government’s tracking resources to locate such children. This Clearinghouse is a resource with access to federal and local law enforcement agencies, schools, parents and communities, all pooled together to most effectively utilize and coordinate information. The primary goal here has always been to quickly and efficiently track down abducted children before they can be further harmed by the perpetrator. One aspect of the Clearinghouse’s efforts to locate children is theirwebsite, where information is posted about missing children. The website posts general information such as the child’s age, date of birth, and physical appearance, as well as a photo of the child. Visitors to the site are given information about who to contact with information and are permitted to post their comments and tips directly to the site.

Julissa’s Story

Recently, one of the children listed on the website was the subject of a taunting and ominous message from an anonymous user. The messenger used a website known as Omegle to post. Omegle allows anonymous users to comment to other anonymous users; the website’s slogan is “talk to strangers!” Other users on the Omegle website contacted police upon seeing the message. The Omegle user posted on a discussion forum, writing about 12-year-old Julissa Romero. Julissa appears on the Clearinghouse’s website as a 12-year-old child missing since April 23, 2014. The anonymous user wrote that Julissa was stabbed twelve times and described the geographic coordinates where she could be found. Salinas police quickly announced that the “confession” was a hoax. Although Julissa appeared on the website, she was alive and well, living with her mother in Mexico.

The Problem of Anonymity

The original use of Omegle was to create a forum where users were at liberty to discuss their thoughts online without being identified in real life. With a situation such as Julissa’s case, this intention is a far cry from the intended use of the site. It is not uncommon for a police force to receive false information about a missing child. However, never before has it been so easy for an everyday Internet user to relay false information without a trace of personal responsibility. While it is possible, generally, to identify the computer a user posted from via the IP address, there are several steps that would be required to compel a private company like Omegle to release such information. It is unlawful for a person to purposefully mislead a police investigation in this manner in real life. Yet on the Internet, there are few ways to regulate such statements. This leads one to wonder what type of benefits society reaps from such an unregulated use of anonymity online.

At Brownstone Law, we understand the varying levels of constitutional freedom of speech. If you feel your speech has been wrongfully censured,contact us today to discuss your appeal.