General Discussions => General discussions => Topic started by: sqrkbkwmqko on January 20, 2015, 04:52:55 AM Return to Full Version

Title: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: sqrkbkwmqko on January 20, 2015, 04:52:55 AM
What kinds of people go here? Should I worry - that someone who is against transitioning might come here to look for peeps that they know IRL to change/destroyyy? ._. I'm thinking of posting pics of me.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Jennygirl on January 20, 2015, 05:06:15 AM
We don't monitor non-member (guest) activity, maybe Susan does.

It all depends on your unique situation. Also the "Just For Us" section is only accessible to subscribers. It provides some form of an extra layer to keep things a tad more private.

Personally, me, I could care less. I am out and proud. I think when I first signed up I had a similar fear, but I knew I was going to have to come out at some point anyway.. so I said whatever!
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Jade_404 on January 20, 2015, 05:11:27 AM
I have posted some picts, with no backlash... I was nervous at first, "what if someone who knows me sees it?" "What if someone stalks me?" But so far no issues. I am not as worried as I was at first. I am now out to many of the people close to me so like Jennygirl i feel the same "I could care less"

-Jade
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Jessica Merriman on January 20, 2015, 08:20:16 AM
My topics appear on the web if you search for them. I do not care though as I am out to the whole planet. Anything on the web can be found by those who know how to do it. I consider the web and all sites as publically viewable.  :)
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: IAmDariaQuinn on January 20, 2015, 09:23:41 AM
Quote from: sqrkbkwmqko on January 20, 2015, 04:52:55 AM
What kinds of people go here? Should I worry - that someone who is against transitioning might come here to look for peeps that they know IRL to change/destroyyy? ._. I'm thinking of posting pics of me.

Not for nothing, but if you're concerned about being outed, posting pictures may not be a good idea, no matter how safe the place may be.  At least, not for the time being.  If you're concerned about your identity, vagueness is key.  Don't name names or specific details.  Just be careful, don't share what you're not comfortable with, and remember, you have a right to your privacy, and you're under no obligation to share more than you feel safe with.  If you don't feel safe, don't share. 
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Devlyn on January 20, 2015, 09:42:56 AM
Close!

"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you"
― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Susan on January 20, 2015, 10:41:07 AM
6. You should not give out personal information which may lead to your being identified, or contacted in person, by email or other means. If you chose to do so, then you also accept all accompanying risks. Aliases and the use of alternate identities, social media accounts, and email addresses are strongly encouraged.

Someone else mentioned pictures.

If you follow TOS 6 and their advice the chance of being outed is vanishingly small.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Adam (birkin) on January 21, 2015, 01:50:35 PM
I'd say it is unlikely if you use a different email and username than you do from any other place (in case someone you know decided to google you and they know your email and usual usernames). Most people aren't going to be on a transgender site unless they have some specific interest in the topic, which most people don't.

I imagine one day someone will find my profile and be like "uh, I think I know that person" if they read enough of my posts. It would be awkward, but I feel the risk/benefit balance is tilted in my favour at this point.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: jeni on January 21, 2015, 02:07:56 PM
Personally, I am doing as Susan suggested and not using personally identifying information. There'll probably soon be enough little things on here that someone who knew me, and who sifted through my posts, could work out a suspicion that it's me. But the odds of that happening are pretty well zero.

I'm not planning on posting any photos, certainly none showing my face, at least until I'm out to the public without caveat. Even without names or identifying details, there *are* image searches out there that could conceivably find you. I don't think the risk is high, and I'm personally not particularly worried about what would happen if I were to be outed before I intend, but I don't see enough reason to post such pictures. The benefit (to me) is very small, so any risk tilts the risk-benefit analysis.

But then, I'm also pretty cautious about posting things to the Internet in general.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Miss_Bungle1991 on January 21, 2015, 02:09:15 PM
I did change my screenname (for good this time! :D). I also changed my avatar (but THAT could out me if some people came across it and put two and two together. Not that I care about that.) I also now use an E mail address that is exclusive to this site.

Meh...if anything does happen, oh well. I'll just get Kathy to beat them up for me. :D
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Cindy on January 21, 2015, 02:56:25 PM
Exactly what Susan said. But if you do reveal your identity this is the sort of exposure you can or will get.

Just google Cindy Macardle!

I'm comfy with it and I am a community activist. But you will be common knowledge.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Athena on January 21, 2015, 03:02:00 PM
Anything you put in the cloud is vulnerable to exposure just ask Jennifer Lawrence. She did not ask for her private photos meant only for her boyfriend to be leaked.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Devlyn on January 21, 2015, 03:05:00 PM
Quote from: Cindy on January 21, 2015, 02:56:25 PM
Exactly what Susan said. But if you do reveal your identity this is the sort of exposure you can or will get.

Just google Cindy Macardle!

I'm comfy with it and I am a community activist. But you will be common knowledge.

I'm nearly as famous as you!
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Jill F on January 21, 2015, 03:22:31 PM
Crap, I can get outed on this forum!?  I guess it's a good thing I already did it on Facebook almost 2 years ago then.  Whew...

So, I'm guessing stealth isn't going to happen now?
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Jill F on January 21, 2015, 03:29:50 PM
Cool anagram: Cindy Macardle = Cycled in drama
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Devlyn on January 21, 2015, 05:31:23 PM
Quote from: Jill F on January 21, 2015, 03:29:50 PM
Cool anagram: Cindy Macardle = Cycled in drama

Very nice!
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Rebekka on January 21, 2015, 06:41:02 PM
im not one to hand out my details on a golden platter, but also not too concerned with being found out - after all, the internet as it is becoming, all but overtly heralds the end of privacy, weather or not the internet is under government control.

I may be too poverty stricken to be an actual gun nut, but i already have atleast afew blades in my collection, so outside of the cops and the feds, i think a stalker/stalkers who chooses to mess with me, might have their efforts at intimidation and fear-mongering backfire. ~shwiiiing~
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Jeneva on January 22, 2015, 09:13:05 AM
I'd even go as far as to say that we need more people that knowingly violate TOS 6.  We need visibility to build awareness among the population to get the protections and rights we deserve.

I'm publicly out here, our old dead blog, our dead website (FFS before and afters with recovery), and at the local university.

I never start a conversation with "I'm trans*", but when the opportunity is presented I'll try to educate.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Susan on January 22, 2015, 02:17:48 PM
TOS 6 is just a cautionary warning. It's to make sure that someone can't come back on the site if they give out information on their own that ends up outing themselves.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: AndrewG on January 28, 2015, 09:59:43 PM
I watch what I post at the moment a bit since there's people I'd like to come out to in person first - but after that I don't think I'll be too bothered. I'll be transitioning while I work in quite a big office - so stealth was never going to be an option. Getting more openly involved in my companies LGBT network will mean it's something that's really not going to be hidden - but I know it's the right way to go for me. I also get why it doesn't suit everyone.

The way I feel about looking at images of myself at the moment, I think I'm more likely to post my credit card details than a photo! :-)
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: skin on January 28, 2015, 11:44:30 PM
I live dangerously.  My full name and location are on this site.  I will say that when I googled some terms to see if any of my writing gets pings from certain terms, a link I posted here was very high in the results.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: KageNiko on February 10, 2015, 11:13:01 PM
This is an area that gets me. I would love to be able to share pics to get opinions on my appearance.  I haven't gone ~through~ anything, but I'm curious if I have visibly feminine qualities as is.  But of course, I value my privacy.
Title: Re: How likely is it to get outed via this forum?
Post by: Susan on February 11, 2015, 12:14:50 AM
Quote from: skin on January 28, 2015, 11:44:30 PM
...a link I posted here was very high in the results.

It's because the domain is so old...