GNHQ here - please read

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That's right Marydoll x

Maw, I knew that, that. I was joking. We are friends, I'm sorry if I upset you.

EV, as if you don't have enough to worry about at present. ?

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Absolutely not Marydoll and I am truly sorry if I gave that impression.
No, it’s those who came before, those who seem to enjoy “stirring”, those who think an unwarranted personal attack out of the blue is “fair game”.
I think we all know what I am talking about.

Oh Maw, I hope you are not alluding to me. ? I'm devastated!

Sadly I agree with you MawB

Interesting Marydoll ?
I would have said profoundly depressing - absolutely typifying the fact that some people can start a fight in an empty room.
I fully accept we can disagree on matters of politics, current affairs, choice of clothes,wearisome relatives, the royal family and courses of action.
But for a thread dedicated to encouraging patience, and mutual respect to turn out as it has done, is well- nigh incredible.
This is not the GN I joined and used to enjoy.

Lemon, I would join you, if my brain wasn't so frazzled and anyway I'm not allowed alcohol!

There you go, I've revealed some personal information.? people may now speculate, as to why I can't consume alcohol!.?
This has been an interesting thread, to say the least!

marydoll it’s getting complicated ?am off to The Argy for a poteen and some karaoke.

"Then even if it had been a breach it can only be considered for legal action if there is evidence that the individual involved has suffered personal harm because of the breach."

Correct!

An example: Marydoll has been banned from GN for trolling and you Elegran reveal my real name or address in a GN post, which would allow me to be identified. That constitutes a breach and GN are under an obligation to inform the Information Commissioner, because if they didn't I would!

Of course, you would never contemplate that!
Anyway, I have now derailed the thread, but at least it has calmed down a bit!

Firstly if it was a breach of the Data Protection Act then WhitewaveMK2's post about the banning would have had to be deleted because by allowing it to be made public then GNHQ would be just as guilty as if they had themselves given the news.
But it isn't. No personal data has been revealed.
Then even if it had been a breach it can only be considered for legal action if there is evidence that the individual involved has suffered personal harm because of the breach.

The difference Elegran, is that they choose to do it of their own free will, so they cannot complain if they are identified.

It is only when another person/company/institution etc reveals a person's personal data without permission, it becomes an offence.

Elegran I agree with you that every thread should be ‘freshly minted’ and I often agree with a poster on one subject and thread and disagree on another thread with the same poster.
Today was......bizarre, and I refused to be drawn into it,( as in tit for tat postings) which I think is the best way.
I said earlier that I hope it highlights the need for more pleasant posts where possible, and I really hope it does.

Yes, indeed, GN can't afford to let any data get into the wrong hands, but posters themselves reveal a lot about their lives in their posts. Every day you can read "information about physical, mental, economic, cultural or social facts." and location, occupation, family size and sex, etc etc. All this could be added together to make a profile of an individual. For forum members to communicate at all, some details get exchanged.

I know Elegran, but I think it has to be taken in context.

We ourselves reveal our personal data on this site, that is our choice. It is when it is revealed by an other party without our consent, it becomes a breach.

Recently I gave permission for another poster to give my personal details to a third poster. .
The offence would have been committed if my name and address had been given without my explicit permission.

Does that make sense? GN could be liable for a huge fine if someone's identity was discovered, without their permission. Obviously, HQ are going to play it by the book.

That covers the subject matter of most posts, on most threads. Maybe no-one should post anything, ever.

Personal data is defined in the GDPR as anything that can be directly or indirectly identified to a natural person, such as names, physical addresses, IP addresses, location data, and information about physical, mental, economic, cultural or social facts.

Losing the will....

Not by MNHQ themselves I hasten to add.

Information about who is banned on MN is all over the site.

trisher

Not unless you actually identified that member Grandad1943 and no one on here is identified because we have user names so our personal details are not disclosed.

trisher, GN or any similar organisation would still be disclosing information that has only taken place between two individual parties. Therefore it would still be a breach of the Data Protection Act unless both parties agree to that release.

Example to the problems of such disclosure would be that this site allows the advertising of "meet ups" at which forum members get to know each other personally.

Should it be that one of those persons was banned by GN others who know that member are able to share that information?

And that is how data gets leaked.

When I have ventured onto Mumsnet, which isn’t often, I have found it far worse than here. Are we oldies expected to be better behaved than our sister branch?

I think the threads which usually, but not exclusively, descend into vitriol, and personal comments, are the political. I am interested in politics and often find them very informative, especially when supportive evidence is given for opinion. Unfortunately reasoned argument doesn’t seem to last for long, and things become very polarised right v left. Pity because at this point some interested posters withdraw and leave the few to fight it out.

Funny thing is this seems to create an energy all of its own or posters wouldn’t hang on in there til the bitter end.

IMO once an argument has descended into the personal the whole cause is devalued and lost.

I suspect if posters were not anonymous they may be more respectful.

However Trisher, there are posters who are in contact with with other posters and know their personal details. It only takes one person to reveal the real name and GDPR has been breached.
GNHQ cannot afford to take that risk.
I admit that there is a minimal possibility of that happening, but it could.