GNHQ please make it clear that these forums are public!

Gransnet on Facebook describes itself as a media/news company.
So now we know.

GNHQ, why not have a statement at the top of every page to remind people how public GN is? And that links to posts may be put on Facebook or Twitter.
If we're all supposed to be okay with that, what harm could it do?

The general thing, though, is that usernames can't be changed.
Why not have them easily changeable, as on Mumsnet, instead of needing a special email request?

Just read GNHQ post. Goodbye PamelaJ1 now I'll have to think of a totally bland name.

That's why I've got whitewave. No one could possibly guess from that

Perhaps some people ought to be allowed to anonymise their name?!

We have to keep this post near the top of the list so that new posters see it. I had no idea my words were being shared with the world. Shouldn't think most of them would be much interested i what I write but even so!
I have told quite a few friends etc. that I'm on gransnet, I don't think they have joined but I'm beginning to be concerned that my name is pretty obvious to anyone who knows me.

I think this needs reminding on a regular basis as it is so easy to forget.

I have decided to keep to purely impersonal stuff. I will never give family examples etc again or anything remotely like the sort of chat going on on some threads.

It's our problem, we will have to warn posters and hope they have their post removed surely

I once reported a poster, in a nice way, as she revealed so much information about her GC and 'difficult' daughter, even naming the hospital that the GC was currently in and the type of surgery. The thread went on for a while and a lot of history was given.

If it had been picked-up by FB/Twitter the daughter would have easily identified her mother and her plans to circumvent the daughter's wishes.

I thought the OP needed saving from herself - in the 4/5 years I've been on GN, can count on one hand the number of times I've reported.

I received a very curt reply from GNHQ stating that posters are free to give as much/little information as they want.

I won't do such a thing again - if someone wants to reveal all, then that's their problem.

Can we change usernames if someone had found out what our name was?

Unlike Mumsnet, no we can't.

If you have / set up another email address, you can register as a new GN user with a new name.

I'm about to go and answer the thread about left handedness. Another identifying factor; actually quite a strong one.. easy to recognise someone, adding together all that they may have posted.

Carefully selected threads ? that's cruel, you read what has been posted then choose?

I knew GN posts would be read by anyone who visited here but am distressed we were not advised posts would be used to titilate on Facebook . Total betrayal of trust and this is something I find abhorrent

GNHQ

'2) Social media accounts like Twitter and Facebook exist on their own platforms and by being a member of Gransnet, you aren't automatically signed up to either of these. We do share links to carefully selected threads that we think will resonate.'

Once again I ask you when did I give you permission for you to pass on information ? You have not answered the question, you just state that Facebook and Twitter stand on their own platforms and that we are not automatically signed up to these

I'm shocked - it feels like a betrayal of trust - I'm not a fool and know that anyone can access the Gransnet website and read posts so I'm careful what I say - but for GNHQ to actively put threads on Facebook & Twitter is unacceptable. It's like those charities who sell their lists of donors to other charities.
I made a conscious decision not to go on Facebook & Twitter - now it's out of my control.
On a lighter note - Jalima, have a lovely time in Crete, but don't tell Gransnetters when you go unless you want FB to know

GNHQ it is not really so much to do with usernames it is more that a much larger audience would have access to information. Sometimes someone will write that they are sad a relative died and maybe a little of the circumstances surrounding that death. The chances of another GN being able to recognise that person from their post I would think is quite low but put the same information on FB or twitter and the much wider (and younger) audience may identify the poster with no trouble and then be able to go back and see what other things that poster has said. Sorry but I think you are wrong to do it and very wrong not to make it blindingly obvious to people when joining GN that this is possible. It's a bit late now for many of us who have posted things that we didn't realise may link through to FB or Twitter.

I think particularly those posters who walk on eggshells around family members, those who have been hurt or treated badly, and who post looking for advice, etc. Imagine a family member recognising themself in a thread?

I too feel it is so sad that people can no longer ask for help and support on GN for fear of it being misused. So many people have had support and let's face it although some of the requests are asked in a funny way i.e. things about knickers or bra fittings many requests are for help from people with serious anxieties. If people post about a certain scenario, even if it doesn't have the persons real name attached to it, it is much more likely that that person would be able to be identified by users on FB or twitter. None of my children or friends are on GN but most are on FB and twitter and I'm sure lots of people would be able to recognise me by some of the things I have written. It seems to me there is no longer a point in being on GN.

I suppose I've done it again with "my little family" add together all those little innocuous words, and it can build up a pretty comprehensive picture, over time.

For myself, its nothing to do with my username. Neither is it because I feel the need to tell all and sundry about my life. Its just the fact that things I have said in the course of answering a thread, putting forth my own experience, and things said in passing could all be enough for somebody who knows (or knows of me and my little family) to identify me.

I hadn't realised that Gransnet put our posts on their facebook page. I checked last night and found one that I had started on their facebook page. I'm shocked and saddened that this has happened.

I never post on facebook, although I do have an account, as I dislike it so for Gransnet to post without my knowledge is not on!

I am absolutely appalled, please show me GNHQ where I gave you permission to replicate any of my posts and what other information have you passed on?

Funnily enough I have been getting loads and loads of email junk and it has coincided with when I joined this forum. I really thought this was a genuine, honest and much needed resource where people could ask for advice and seek the experience of others in similar situations. I for one will not be posting on here again unless there are some reassurances about exactly what will be kept confidential. Please don't come back with this is a public forum, that does not give you permission to reproduce posts or private information.

it is sad that people's problems may turn into 'click bait' isn't it? But being careful about what you post is probably always a good idea regardless of twitter or FBI. Something very sad happened to me this morning which I'm sure many of you have been through but I couldn't think of a way to post about it that made me feel safe so I've just had a bit of a cry on my own

I've never seen a Mumsnet thread on FB has anyone else ?
If it dosen't happen to them then why us ?
I thought you had to follow the GN page which I do, for it to come up on your news feed. (have I got that wrong ?) Lets face it DD and her generation are not likely to follow GN via FB unless they are digging.