The Anon Dilemma: Thoughts on Digital Identity Online

The internet is a scary place. Maybe that’s why I tweet and delete, tweet and delete, tweet and delete.. I try not to do that. However, I also know many things could easily get taken out of context so sometimes I feel like I need to do a double take. It is so easy to find information about people online today, one almost has to go entirely out of their way in order to protect their privacy. So once you put anything up, any comment or even just a “like” anyone can use that information against you. At times, I feel restricted in my public online activity, if only I could just… be anonymous.

It is important to note that anonymity can be used for both positive and negative purposes, and can have different implications depending on the context in which it is used. An anonymous identity online refers to the use of a false or obscured identity when engaging in online activities. This can involve the use of pseudonyms, fake names, or other methods to conceal one's true identity.

I’ve first become aware of the choice to appear anonymous online since I stumbled upon the Anonymous hacker group around 2013 (according to Wikipedia they were founded in 2003). I’ve also been intrigued with the concept of the dark web for quite some time. Even though the dark web has mostly sinister associations, the freedom that people possess by being anonymous fascinates me.

Fast forward to last summer (2022) when I started noticing the proliferation of anonymous accounts on Twitter. I didn’t take these accounts too seriously, as there was nothing attached to their identity to give them any real credibility that would make it so their word had weight. However, when I saw non-anonymous prominent tech people in the industry interact and give attention to these accounts they were impossible to ignore. Not to mention, their tweets made me laugh, and some of their takes were definitely thought provoking and controversial enough that I understand why these people wouldn’t want to expose themselves.

When I joined Twitter in 2020 and had about eight followers I felt like I was tweeting into the void. In retrospect, I should have savored the feeling that no one was paying attention. Not that it’s too different now, but I know more people have access to my account. Up until this point I’ve experienced what it’s like to interact with anonymous accounts as myself (using my real name). It is pretty strange at times and other times a true source of connection and eventually revelation of the people whom I spoke with.

The dilemma here is this: how do you build a personal online brand as a random cartoon character? The few that have done it successfully started a few years ago. Starting now might be too late. Or maybe it’s just in time. I’m not saying that I’m not experimenting from the other side, but what I am saying is that anonymous or not, prolific personas will probably succeed either way. The question is, how brave are you to post your true thoughts behind your name, and possibly risk losing your job and relationships? And if you’re not, do you have what it takes to be so good that your anonymous cartoon goes viral?