Great idea, but I don't think Alice would be able to hide her posts and wallet. If Malcolm opens a new private window in his browser and goes to https://steemit.com/steem/@[username] he will be able to see all her posts and her wallet.
You can't hide on Steemit. :-(
I think if steemit implements this disconnect feature, they could also block the data from the URL you mentioned, for those people that are disconnected. There are other clients of the steem blockchain where a person could see this blocked data, but maybe they would also implement the same disconnect feature. If every client did that, the stalker could still find the data but they would need to program their own client to do so.
Sure but the point is he would have to increasingly go out of his way. She can also block his IP address.
It's very easy to open a private window in most browsers.
Sorry, that wouldn't help. Malcolm is using the Opera browser, a browser with inbuilt free-of-charge VPN.
IP address could be used. But if someone is willing to go on a VPN just to harass someone then after a certain point there is nothing you can do. If a person is willing to invest unlimited time and resources into attacking someone it's not like you can stop it.
So? If I'm being harassed and I filter out innocent Steemians then that would be my choice? It wouldn't block the IP address from accessing Steemit.com, it would only block the IP address from accessing my content on Steemit.com. If I don't want people behind certain VPNs to access my content then i should be able to block the entire IP range if I choose.
The point is to make harassment inconvenient, it's never going to be impossible.
Blocking an IP address is not possible because that would block many innocent Steemians. Due to the shortage of IPv4 addresses many ISPs outside America use Carrier-grade NAT (CGN) for their residential customers. Customers with ISPs using CGN) share the same IPv4 address as many other customers. Blocking an IPv4 address will block all Steemians sharing the same IPv4 address, not only Malcolm.
Just one click in your Opera browser and you are on VPN (5 countries to choose between). As simple as clicking on a link. No subscription or account is needed - free of charge. "Malcolm" loves the Opera browser. :-)
I understand your post and I'm sure Steemit Inc. will find a solution if/when harassment becomes a problem, but blocking IP addresses is not a solution.
Steemit is an open platform where you even can see the wallets of other members and it's difficult to "hide".