Author Topic: Privacy  (Read 63581 times)

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Offline EEVblog

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #125 on: October 31, 2015, 10:50:58 am »
So I am not allowed to be below the ramparts because it would cause the "(+1 hidden)" to spoil the look of things, but nevertheless there is a "(+1 hidden)" all the same. Fancy that, eh:

If I knew who they were I'd change their profiles too. Unfortunately I can't see a way to search for profiles that are hidden.
Ironically it's you who got me to change this for a while that allowed these people to slip though.
 

Offline crispy_tofu

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #126 on: October 31, 2015, 10:58:48 am »
To admins, I think the (+3 Hidden) is replaced with the names of the members, but they are italicised.  :-+

Something like this:
On the other hand, to me this is very useful:

 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #127 on: October 31, 2015, 12:19:19 pm »
To admins, I think the (+3 Hidden) is replaced with the names of the members, but they are italicised.  :-+

Ah, could be!, nice catch.
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #128 on: October 31, 2015, 12:23:19 pm »
Yep, that worked.
4 italicised people found and corrected  >:D
 

Offline Muttley Snickers

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #129 on: October 31, 2015, 12:27:55 pm »
Just need to convert the guests into members now, there must be a hidden check box for it somewhere that no one has found yet...... ;D
« Last Edit: October 31, 2015, 01:04:25 pm by Muttley Snickers »
 

Offline PlainNameTopic starter

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #130 on: October 31, 2015, 02:27:34 pm »
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4 italicised people found and corrected

Ulp! Hope you didn't tell 'em I ratted them out.
 

Offline SeanB

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #131 on: October 31, 2015, 02:44:35 pm »
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4 italicised people found and corrected

Ulp! Hope you didn't tell 'em I ratted them out.

What are they going to do?  Ignore you? Send you nasty looks via email?
 

Offline AF6LJ

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #132 on: October 31, 2015, 06:23:39 pm »
Yep, that worked.
4 italicised people found and corrected  >:D

i was italicised once, I didn't like the result and went back in and had the procedure reversed.
Sue AF6LJ
 

Offline PlainNameTopic starter

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #133 on: January 12, 2017, 01:26:40 am »
Old thread, but since we have the anti-paranoid here it's as good a place as any.

If some bloke was outside my house and posted on, say, Facebook whenever I went to bed or got up, and followed me around the shops detailing which ones I was looking in, etc, I would be really annoyed. Wouldn't you? Yet that info is here on EEVBlog for anyone that cares to look.

Isn't this a breach of privacy? In other threads, there are bad words said about program authors who capture this info to 'improve their products' (or maybe monetize you). Somewhat double-standarized, I think.

However, what really caught my eye about this was that the info can be detrimental to EEVBlog. Consider, for instance, that there is some discussion about a controversial topic. Let's say, oh, solar roadways. Someone posts so point of view or info, and you go looking at who the hell they are. You notice that their 'Most popular boards by activity' is Renewable Energy, that they post at any time of day or night (i.e. don't have fixed hours for sleep/work) and you write them straight off as obvious perpetual motion dingbats without a life. Or maybe they spend a lot of time in Crowd Funded Projects - obviously like to watch other people's projects being trashed. That's going to color your view of them, and your interpretation of what they post.

I find it surprising and rather disappointing that personal data is broadcast to anyone who cares to look without so much as a by your leave. If you don't care that's fine - feel free to share your life with world+dog, but surely it is polite to ask before you expose people. Imagine the fun some of the ex-participants of this forum, who got ejected and regularly spam the place, could have with people they are not too happy with.
 

Offline Brumby

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #134 on: January 12, 2017, 02:00:28 am »
Well, you could get access to other people's Profiles removed, but that doesn't hide the information - it just makes it more difficult to get.

There's no secret about the information that is available here - and it's completely bilateral between ordinary members.  Admin and Moderators have access to more information - but that should not be a worry.  If it is, then you are in the wrong place.

As for the information itself - it is based on what you do and say, so it you have a problem with it, then don't provide it.  If you find yourself conflicted about wanting to post something - but fear the bogeyman will "get you", then maybe you aren't as convicted in the value of your opinion and of it being scrutinsed in public.

It's not as if someone is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to divulge personal information.


There is sufficient anonymity available here for me to participate, however even that has been abused by some who want to cause problems.  Fortunately, there are tools that are available to Admin to deal with that - and I am glad they are available.  Too much anonymity is an invitation for trouble.
 
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Offline PlainNameTopic starter

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #135 on: January 12, 2017, 02:49:04 am »
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it just makes it more difficult to get

Yes, but that's the thing. In the Stasi days it was a significant effort to acquire this info. The normal person didn't have a hope unless they put in very serious work and knowledge, and then they had to target a specific person. The data was there, but safe because it was too difficult to acquire. Nowadays, it's a button click away and, hence, becomes a problem through technology making it easy for anyone at all to snoop and stalk.

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it is based on what you do and say, so it you have a problem with it, then don't provide it

You mean I shouldn't visit certain topics in case someone sees me do it? Are you serious?

Further, one issue I was pointing out was interpretation of the data. People often jump to an erroneous conclusion when looking at data - indeed, it is a recognised problem in science with actual trained scientists.

Further still, the whole point is that it is not based on what I say. That is, what I say may be interpreted in different ways by people who have pre-judged me based on background data. Gosh, even without that, we often seen comments which have missed the thrust of the post they're commenting to.

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It's not as if someone is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to divulge personal information.

How do I prevent it being used, then? Are you going to indulge in victim blaming and suggest that I shouldn't visit EEVBlog if I want to retain my privacy? As far as I'm aware, that's the only way to prevent this data being presented.

What about those users who don't know their data is being dished up? Are they also to blame for not taking steps, whatever they may be, to hide it?

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there are tools that are available to Admin to deal with that

Indeed, and when I sign up to a forum I assume the admin has far more data available to him that is presented here. But that's the admin, not every user who bothers to visit the site. Should everyone know my email address, my login password, my IP address? Of course not! There is a difference between the admin and some random user. Or should be.

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so it you have a problem with it, then don't provide it

Well, indeed. Hence my post - I am trying to NOT provide it, but someone else is displaying it without asking me or allowing me to not broadcast it. Perhaps you have a suitable solution?
 

Offline PlainNameTopic starter

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #136 on: January 12, 2017, 03:09:43 am »
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one issue I was pointing out was interpretation of the data

As an example, see this post So many views where it would be easy to jump to some conclusion. I see similar on Ebay where my missus says "Oh, that (an item I have for sale) will go for a lot because there are X watchers".

Another example: Do a google on "batteriser is rubbish" and see there are 1500 or so hits. Yet "batteriser works well" has over 20,000 hits. Obviously it's a great product! Yet I often see people use the number of Google hits as proof of something. The only way to stop proles from seeing what they want to see in data is to not give it to them.
 
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Online tautech

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #137 on: January 12, 2017, 04:17:31 am »
So I won't call you paranoid, but overly concerned, maybe.

After more than 2 decades on the net I have not let my guard down as much as my online security has increased.
Even with my website included in my profile and contact details on the website the amount of unsolicited contact outside normal business is miniscule other than all manner of Test equipment manufacturers wanting me to peddle their products.
On my site management page I see all browsing that originates from EEVblog and the IP addresses of anybody that hits my site. It's no big deal just as I leave a digital trail wherever I go.

I contacted Simon sometime ago after member and mate Deathwish ceased posting in an attempt to find more details about Garry and what had become of him. To my surprise the little I had gleaned from Garry over the years I knew more about his personal details than Simon could offer.
Should I wish to examine another members info it would only be to have some idea of when they'd likely be online and TBH it's easier if they have a profile flag as it takes less time to look at a world clock.

If you feel you're being stalked, entice them inside and plug a hole in them with the second shot into the ceiling as proof that a warning shot was fired.  ;)  >:D

« Last Edit: January 12, 2017, 06:11:39 am by tautech »
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Offline Brumby

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #138 on: January 12, 2017, 04:25:32 am »

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it is based on what you do and say, so it you have a problem with it, then don't provide it

You mean I shouldn't visit certain topics in case someone sees me do it? Are you serious?

If it worries you that someone can see you do that - then YES!

As for the rest of your paranoia, I am led to think the internet is not the place for you - and perhaps society itself is too much of a risk.  It might be less stressful if you go "Off the grid".  Then you'll only have the satellites to worry about.
 

Offline Brumby

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #139 on: January 12, 2017, 05:12:50 am »
Going to the shops must really freak you out....  All those eyes that can see you, see what shops you go into and even what sections you visit.

Oh, the humanity.
 

Offline Brumby

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #140 on: January 12, 2017, 05:55:16 am »
I would also like to point out that the behaviour you have willingly and openly displayed on this thread alone - which is visible to the whole world - is more than enough to attract the attention of any passers-by.

Sometimes the safest place to be invisible is in plain sight - but without the megaphone.
 

Offline Muttley Snickers

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #141 on: January 12, 2017, 06:04:54 am »
I inadvertently posted my full details on the forum once so we are damn lucky to have the ability to go back and edit even historical posts, I soon discovered that this was not possible on another forum I joined years ago so I haven't been back since and have no intention of doing so either, their terrible loss not mine. I occasionally go back in time to tidy up grammar, spelling and such but quoted posts have to stay as they are, looking like a dogs breakfast.

On another occasion I attempted to track down the whereabouts of another member to send him a pallet big box couple of chocolates in appreciation for his assistance but the confirmed address could not be verified and I tried like really hard so had to give up in the end and eat the chocolates.

Don't read this as it contains private stuff.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/eevblog-bm235-multimeter-dilemma/msg858198/#msg858198
 

Offline NexusKoolaid

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #142 on: January 12, 2017, 06:15:16 am »
Going to the shops must really freak you out....  All those eyes that can see you, see what shops you go into and even what sections you visit.

Oh, the humanity.
If going to the shops freaks him out this one will drive him absolutely bananas https://www.amazon.com/b?node=16008589011
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #143 on: January 12, 2017, 07:03:58 am »
Old thread, but since we have the anti-paranoid here it's as good a place as any.
If some bloke was outside my house and posted on, say, Facebook whenever I went to bed or got up, and followed me around the shops detailing which ones I was looking in, etc, I would be really annoyed. Wouldn't you? Yet that info is here on EEVBlog for anyone that cares to look.

Terrible analogy.
You have the option to not log in whilst reading, so no one can see your username.
You have the option to have a completely anonymous account. Only usernames are shown unless you deliberably chose otherwise.

If you aren't happy with those options then you really shouldn't be on the internet at all.

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Isn't this a breach of privacy?

No. Because you are the one that elects to provide this information by logging in and having an account that can be tracked to you.
Only the persons anonymous username is revealed, and for very good reasons.

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However, what really caught my eye about this was that the info can be detrimental to EEVBlog.

It's not.

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Consider, for instance, that there is some discussion about a controversial topic. Let's say, oh, solar roadways. Someone posts so point of view or info, and you go looking at who the hell they are. You notice that their 'Most popular boards by activity' is Renewable Energy, that they post at any time of day or night (i.e. don't have fixed hours for sleep/work) and you write them straight off as obvious perpetual motion dingbats without a life. Or maybe they spend a lot of time in Crowd Funded Projects - obviously like to watch other people's projects being trashed. That's going to color your view of them, and your interpretation of what they post.

Of an anonymous person!

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I find it surprising and rather disappointing that personal data is broadcast to anyone who cares to look without so much as a by your leave.

It's not, Read my first paragraph above.
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #144 on: January 12, 2017, 07:09:09 am »
Indeed, and when I sign up to a forum I assume the admin has far more data available to him that is presented here. But that's the admin, not every user who bothers to visit the site. Should everyone know my email address, my login password, my IP address? Of course not! There is a difference between the admin and some random user. Or should be.

Your email address is not visible to anyone but the admins, unless you chose it to be.
Your IP address is not visible to anyone but the admins, unless you chose it to be.
Your login password is not visible to anyone, even the forum owner. I can never see your password nor tell you what it is if you lose it.
 

Offline PlainNameTopic starter

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #145 on: January 12, 2017, 09:08:06 am »
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So I won't call you paranoid, but overly concerned, maybe.

Thank you :)
 

Offline PlainNameTopic starter

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #146 on: January 12, 2017, 09:11:46 am »
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Going to the shops must really freak you out....  All those eyes that can see you

You are kneejerking and missing the thrust of my point(s).
 

Offline PlainNameTopic starter

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #147 on: January 12, 2017, 09:14:22 am »
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the behaviour you have willingly and openly displayed on this thread

Hey, someone has to make a stand for the good of mankind! So, suggest a better method of bringing it to people's attention.

And... having 'willingly and openly' displayed something, doesn't that kind of suggest something to you? Like, perhaps, I am still here and still making footprint instead of browsing incognito...
 

Offline PlainNameTopic starter

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #148 on: January 12, 2017, 09:22:40 am »
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You have the option to not log in whilst reading, so no one can see your username.

Sure, but the only reason I do log in is so the forum tells me what I haven't seen yet. Don't log in and every message is new every time.

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You have the option to not log in whilst reading, so no one can see your username.

Yes, I am aware of that. It may have escaped your attention that dunkemhigh isn't actually my real name :)

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Because you are the one that elects to provide this information by logging in

That's interesting logic. You're effectively saying that by visiting some website I am electing to provide anyone who can all the data on me that they can figure out. If I walk in a shop, all the data provided by my phone, my NFC debit card, my photo, etc is fair game for the shopkeeper to use in any way they see fit?

You might also note that I accepted that the site admin has access to forum stats, so that's you point settled. What I am beefing about is that the forum admin is also giving that info out to everyone else. Just by visiting your site I am NOT saying "Yes, fine, tell that bozo over there the times I get up and go to bed".
 

Online tautech

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Re: Privacy
« Reply #149 on: January 12, 2017, 09:26:32 am »
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You have the option to not log in whilst reading, so no one can see your username.

Sure, but the only reason I do log in is so the forum tells me what I haven't seen yet. Don't log in and every message is new every time.
Hint
Log in, check replies or latest posts......

Mark all messages AS READ.  ;)

Done.
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