Fall out from identifying posts

If people are fearful of being identified at this thread suggests, then they could certainly be identified at a meet.

I have a group of friends, met through an interest forum, and all ‘meet’ arrangements are done behind the scenes.

I do understand but then I am not one of those fearful of being identified and on the contrary, have made several new friends from these meet ups.

Greenfinch

I am intrigued as to how meet ups could be a problem. Do you mean that a dodgy character could turn up? I have been to many occasions over the years in different areas and there has never been a problem. It would be a shame to be too anxious about this although I suppose we could give information via a pm . Would that be safer?

Unfortunately there have been incidences when posters are accused of being in gangs due to using PM’s.

I have met some really nice people at GN meet ups, I now consider them to be real life friends.

I have also got a GN pen pal which I would not have if it wasn’t for some common interests discovered through threads here.

Greenfinch

I am intrigued as to how meet ups could be a problem. Do you mean that a dodgy character could turn up? I have been to many occasions over the years in different areas and there has never been a problem. It would be a shame to be too anxious about this although I suppose we could give information via a pm . Would that be safer?

I can’t see that arranging meet-ups using Gransnet names is a problem. There are hundreds of groups on other sites, which use posters’ real names to organise meet-ups.

If you’re happy to post comments that may lead to identification then it is entirely your choice. Others, especially those who comment on the more aggressive threads and don’t agree with the vociferous few, may not want to be identified.

I would always err on the side of caution. Once said and posted, it’s difficult to retract and some might wish they’d said nothing.

Like all things it’s personal choice and responsibility.

It’s clear that some posters have no idea that anyone, anywhere, can read their posts. Recently a poster added a screenshot of a facebook post by a relative showing said relative’s name and another said, entirely seriously, ‘we are all women here aren’t we?’.

Forsythia, the problem is, that most of us are in the 'older' age bracket on this site, and not very computer savvy. I was totally naive when joining the site that comments could be reposted by GN on Facebook, or in The Press. And that some people, even here, may try, let even think ... of Googling members or trying to find out personal info about them by any means.

What's an 'aggresive thread' ?

Germanshepherdsmum

It’s clear that some posters have no idea that anyone, anywhere, can read their posts. Recently a poster added a screenshot of a facebook post by a relative showing said relative’s name and another said, entirely seriously, ‘we are all women here aren’t we?’.

Yes, if that makes all GNetters more aware, this thread would have been worth it.

Fleurpepper

Forsythia, the problem is, that most of us are in the 'older' age bracket on this site, and not very computer savvy. I was totally naive when joining the site that comments could be reposted by GN on Facebook, or in The Press. And that some people, even here, may try, let even think ... of Googling members or trying to find out personal info about them by any means.

What's an 'aggresive thread' ?

An aggressive thread are the ones you find on News & Politics Fleurpepper but you know that really don’t you.

Honest debate is welcome as is disagreement, but all those threads are taken over time after time by the same posters with the same vociferous views and woe betide anybody that disagrees with them. Hence the need for discretion.

I am pleased now I posted my original question. And it was one particular post that made me think oops too much information there. And as a newbie I saw it in a different light from perhaps long time posters. Such a shame that we have to be so extra careful now. There are wolves out there.

I think we need to be cear about what is possible and what is probable.

The possibility that things could go badly wrong if someone publishes identifying information on GN is one thing. The probability of that happening is much much lower.

To begin with, someone might admit to a birthday and six months later say vaguely where they live. But scamming is an industry, and scammers do not have time or inclination to comb websites like GN carefully extracting tiny bits of information to build up files.

That will only happen if the police, security services or similar already have information on you and are investigating you in detail. In which case, they may get your GN details by other means. The other real threat is close friends or family, where they can find out your user name in your home because they see your computer/phone and possibly check it. That. as I discovered, led to my original cover being blown.

Scammers are an industry and they want data in industrial quantities, so they will go for banks, and financial institutions, govrnment organisations etc, where they can obtain a lot of security data on thousands or millions of us in one sweep.

I have made one very good friend through GN, I responded to someone I had deduced lived near me, although I got the town wrong, at a time of her need. It turned out she lived even closer to me than I imagined. She could, of course not replied to my PM or rebuffed me, so I still would not know to within 15 miles where she lived.

I have also enjoyed meeting people at the Oxford meet-ups. If any one was watching one of us from another table, it will have been because of some other aspect of that person's history that made them a person of interest, certainly not their memebership of GN.

We do really need to see things in perspective.

I have occasionally discarded a post when I previewed it and thought it too personal. I try to keep away from discussing other people's business. I hope someone would tell me if they were shocked or could identify someone.
Much as I have been tempted to post photos of DGC on Facebook I don't unless my DC have already posted and they let me share.
I have met quite a few GN in real life and yes they are really nice, good listeners and good fun.

Forsythia

Fleurpepper

Forsythia, the problem is, that most of us are in the 'older' age bracket on this site, and not very computer savvy. I was totally naive when joining the site that comments could be reposted by GN on Facebook, or in The Press. And that some people, even here, may try, let even think ... of Googling members or trying to find out personal info about them by any means.

What's an 'aggresive thread' ?

An aggressive thread are the ones you find on News & Politics Fleurpepper but you know that really don’t you.

Honest debate is welcome as is disagreement, but all those threads are taken over time after time by the same posters with the same vociferous views and woe betide anybody that disagrees with them. Hence the need for discretion.

Can you explain what you mean Forsythia, the way I read your comment is that you’re saying that the people who you call ‘aggressive’ posters on the News and Politics thread might try to identify who you are in real life so that they can in some way seek you out and target you?

Entirely my fault but I didn't realise the facebook relationship. I had been grateful for some compassionate help when my dh died so when I was coping with a very difficult situation I reached out for advice. It all ended up on facebook and a bad situation was made worse, I had to change my user name and have only had a very few posts since. I would say to everyone be very careful of posting identifiable information

Casdon

Forsythia

Fleurpepper

Forsythia, the problem is, that most of us are in the 'older' age bracket on this site, and not very computer savvy. I was totally naive when joining the site that comments could be reposted by GN on Facebook, or in The Press. And that some people, even here, may try, let even think ... of Googling members or trying to find out personal info about them by any means.

What's an 'aggresive thread' ?

An aggressive thread are the ones you find on News & Politics Fleurpepper but you know that really don’t you.

Honest debate is welcome as is disagreement, but all those threads are taken over time after time by the same posters with the same vociferous views and woe betide anybody that disagrees with them. Hence the need for discretion.

Can you explain what you mean Forsythia, the way I read your comment is that you’re saying that the people who you call ‘aggressive’ posters on the News and Politics thread might try to identify who you are in real life so that they can in some way seek you out and target you?

Certainly Casdon, happy to explain what I mean. Fanatics do try to silence those who disagree with their views. They may well try to seek you out and silence you. Hope that’s clear enough for you. Better to be safe than sorry wouldn’t you agree?

I am going to change my user name as I have just looked really closely and a dubious person from Leeds uses the same name on U tube. Please don't think I am the same person.

In the very early days of Gransnet, when we could allow our profilesto be read, I revealed too much about myself and was messaged in a none-too-friendly manner by someone who clearly didn't like me. I changed my forum name and have kept it the same ever since.

notoveryet

Entirely my fault but I didn't realise the facebook relationship. I had been grateful for some compassionate help when my dh died so when I was coping with a very difficult situation I reached out for advice. It all ended up on facebook and a bad situation was made worse, I had to change my user name and have only had a very few posts since. I would say to everyone be very careful of posting identifiable information

I hope your situation has since settled down after that unfortunate experience.

It's a reminder to posters that anyone can read the threads!

But I do agree with Monica about the low probability of fraudsters trawling sites for DoB, name, location etc and putting it all together to scam a poster.

I expect whatever name you choose someone somewhere is using it Yammy. Don’t worry, we know you’re not a dubious person!

I'm quite cautious. I obscure our birth years, where we live, how he earns income. I find anonymity best - why borrow trouble?

I just looked up gransnet on Facebook and it seemed to be more or less adverts, nothing particularly interesting . Not worth bothering with.

nanna8

I just looked up gransnet on Facebook and it seemed to be more or less adverts, nothing particularly interesting . Not worth bothering with.

Well there’s a surprise!
We really do provide all of the content ourselves, don’t we