California's proposed bill to require bots to be identified could have sinister implications

Electronic Frontier Foundation has an important article by Jamie Williams opposing a Califronia bill S.B. 1001 requiring disclosure of bots online.

  

This is not so much about fear of artificial intelligence as it may be a way to reign in on fake news and the beginnings of a trend to require hosting companies especially to be more familiar with their “customers”, since so many may be overseas or may intend to spread dissent with no “skin in the game”.

  

  

EFF also points out that it would undermine anonymous speech and suppress constitutionally protected speech.

Here's another perspective on fake news and the speed of social media v printed page, "The Wounded Printed Page Strikes Back" from Wesley Pruden of the Washington Times.