They mouth off pointedly, offensively, suggestively. But if they think that it doesn't matter because cyberspace is somehow different, they'd better read the recent headlines. If you say something negligently or knowingly false and defame someone, you could be held responsible. And as increasing numbers of people flock to the Internet, some online users are finding that their words are being scrutinized with a new intensity. A little common sense and forethought usually ward off trouble.
Nasty comments fly across the Net.
Some will try to rectify the situation if a consumer had a problem with a product or a service. Or the company might ask that the bad-mouthing stop, with the consequences for ignoring the request left unstated. Not everybody takes the hint. When the member refused to back down, the resort owner successfully subpoenaed AOL to get his real name. The anonymous user turned out to be a former resort employee, who has since retracted his comments and apologized.