General Chat

"I put this thread up, to show how easy it is to get a person's private information. It is GR that has my surname, and also, if I click on my name on the board, as if to send myself a PM, it gives my maiden name and my DOB."

This is what I was about to tell you, but you got it. (Except the DOB -- I think the way to find that is to do a tree search. Yes, "hide living people" doesn't exclude them from tree searches.)

I use this all the time when replying to vague queries on the TTF board. I feel like I'm using Nazi scientific research because it is just so hugely inappropriate that I should be able to get that information with the click of a mouse at this site, but I don't use it for nefarious purposes. ;)

It's way beyond high time that this site stopped disclosing this information.

In fact, the privacy policy page here says:

"Search results from your tree will only be associated with you by your first name (which will be displayed together with the search results)"

It does NOT say that all someone needs to do, to get your surname, is click on your first name. (And in fact, people who created accounts more than 3 or so years ago do have their surnames displayed on their posts and in tree search results, still.)

And all someone needs to do to get a woman's birth surname (or married surname, it seems to be inconsistent, but whichever isn't the one associated with the username) is send a PM so it shows up in their contacts list.

(By the way, your contacts list will also show a "relation" for anyone in it, even if your PMs had nothing to do with genealogy, and that relation could be yourself or an immediate ancestor; it seems to be random. Again, "hide living people" doesn't stop your real name from showing up as the "relation" in someone's contact list.)

Julia, please do use this incident to do what you can to compel this site's management to stop disclosing users' personal information this way.

This is EXACTLY why I advise anyone within earshot to fix their account details so none of their real names appear there, and choose a username that is not related to their real name. But this is one more instance where it is not the job of paying users to try to remedy the problem created by the management, which we obviously can't do.

As far as I'm concerned, there is a violation of UK privacy legislation here.

NO other discussion board I have ever seen, in 15 years of using them, has ever done this.

If what has happened to you is the impetus for the site management to mend its ways, it would be way too late and only slightly better than never, but it would be the best outcome.

??????

how does your dob show in contacts, I've never seen anyones ???

You did right thing Julia, well done ,theres been enough snooping into people on here for sick means...

Well done, Julia.

I hope that GR will do something about it.

I agree with Gwynne, it's really creepy.

Love, Sallie. xxx

3 years ago i asked 1 of the mums ( who's children did swimming lessons with mine) if she would allow me to do some digging to show her how much stuff is on the net now days

The following week i was able to tell apart from the normal bits you find, what school she went to & also her parents names, address & phone number.

Since then i have never mentioned my sons name on here as its unusual, i took my surname & date of birth off my tree on here...Why, cos i thought if i could find stuff then so could others

Yes it is creepy but can be done very easy

Well done, Julia.

Really creepy.

Gwynne

WELL DONE JULIA XX

Well done... (((((hugs)))))

I am going off line when I have typed this.
I put this thread up, to show how easy it is to get a person's private information. It is GR that has my surname, and also, if I click on my name on the board, as if to send myself a PM, it gives my maiden name and my DOB.
I have reported this to the appropriate authorities, and am awaiting action, if any.
Just hope it does not happen to anyone else.
Julia in Derbyshire

Have you contacted GR and the police yet, Julia? Whoever it is, as has been said, is implying that he kows all about you... it is intimidating and threatening... don't let it escalate.

I would make a guess that he or she has done this before, as well, so knows the effect it can have.... don't waste any time, and as Joy has said... you are made of strong stuff, so this person may find they have bitten off rather more than they are able to chew.

What a sicko!

((((((hugs)))))) for you, Julia

Love

Daff xxxxxx

Edit... re-read and see that it is a *he*... only cowardly male bullies would threaten a woman like this... how contemptuous of him. In fact, he is beneath contempt.

contact GR Julia
then contact the police

stalking is a criminal offence

who ever he is must be right sick

is he expecting you to be afraid
and run round hysterical

sorry looser Julias made of stronger stuff

You will only not show on Electoral edited online edition.....the full one has your details...access can be got to the full edition...so ticking the box is really a waste of time.

Julia

He probably got it off the ER

It's fairly easy to get hold of the information, if you don't state on the electoral roll form that you want to keep your details private, but why would anyone go to the trouble. Clearly a nutter:(

block him Julia and tell GR

Julia have him blocked and tell GR
Hazelx

get it to gr julia .. that is not very nice at all ....

Never mind telling us Julia,,,,,,get on to GR asp with a very strong message,,,they wont tolerate stuff like this and may ban them.
oh and have them blocked,,,,,,!

I have had a series of PM's today from a person, who I know will probably be reading this. He has normally been okey, on the few occassions he has contacted me,
However, apart from trying to discredit my geography in connection with a thread od mine on GR, he has just sent me a PM, with my full name, full address and post code, and the other ihabitant who lives at my house.
Now, please somebody tell me how he got hold of that information, which I thought was private.
Julia in Derbyshire