Is It Ok To Reveal Personal Info Of Users?

Let's say a user on this forum lost his cool, then decided to use info he likely scoured from who knows where on another user, which wasn't released themselves, nor authorized for disclosure.

Would you be ok with it? I am a victim of such an act, where another user started posting personal identification information in the course of losing his cool, then making accusations (false ones), to go along with it. Fortunately, I'm in Germany, as is the poster. Thus, I'm protected with very strict laws and that person also presented false information about me, putting his foot in his mouth in doing so.

I've PMd the moderators for a clean resolution by simply wiping the thread's posts, to no avail. I've also kindly requested cooperation from the poster in question, who will now not answer, knowing I have recourse.

So what is DPR's policy, when a poster releases personal data on another poster, then goes further to post damaging, defamatory info to try and win an internet debate?

In my opinion, one can lose their cool, but that NEVER makes collecting and releasing private data acceptable, EVER. That's when one should step away from the forum. However, that person seems to have stepped away too late.

The lack of response from DPR is also troubling. Needless to say, it's also troubling that this poster was able to come up with some information about me, though the rest of the stuff became defamatory due to being incorrect, as well as assumptions.

snake_b said:

Let's say a user on this forum lost his cool, then decided to use info he likely scoured from who knows where on another user, which wasn't released themselves, nor authorized for disclosure.

Would you be ok with it? I am a victim of such an act, where another user started posting personal identification information in the course of losing his cool, then making accusations (false ones), to go along with it. Fortunately, I'm in Germany, as is the poster. Thus, I'm protected with very strict laws and that person also presented false information about me, putting his foot in his mouth in doing so.

I've PMd the moderators for a clean resolution by simply wiping the thread's posts, to no avail. I've also kindly requested cooperation from the poster in question, who will now not answer, knowing I have recourse.

So what is DPR's policy, when a poster releases personal data on another poster, then goes further to post damaging, defamatory info to try and win an internet debate?

In my opinion, one can lose their cool, but that NEVER makes collecting and releasing private data acceptable, EVER. That's when one should step away from the forum. However, that person seems to have stepped away too late.

The lack of response from DPR is also troubling. Needless to say, it's also troubling that this poster was able to come up with some information about me, though the rest of the stuff became defamatory due to being incorrect, as well as assumptions.

Click to expand...

Quit your whining.
--
Brian Schneider

Brian D. Schneider said:

snake_b said:

Let's say a user on this forum lost his cool, then decided to use info he likely scoured from who knows where on another user, which wasn't released themselves, nor authorized for disclosure.

Would you be ok with it? I am a victim of such an act, where another user started posting personal identification information in the course of losing his cool, then making accusations (false ones), to go along with it. Fortunately, I'm in Germany, as is the poster. Thus, I'm protected with very strict laws and that person also presented false information about me, putting his foot in his mouth in doing so.

I've PMd the moderators for a clean resolution by simply wiping the thread's posts, to no avail. I've also kindly requested cooperation from the poster in question, who will now not answer, knowing I have recourse.

So what is DPR's policy, when a poster releases personal data on another poster, then goes further to post damaging, defamatory info to try and win an internet debate?

In my opinion, one can lose their cool, but that NEVER makes collecting and releasing private data acceptable, EVER. That's when one should step away from the forum. However, that person seems to have stepped away too late.

The lack of response from DPR is also troubling. Needless to say, it's also troubling that this poster was able to come up with some information about me, though the rest of the stuff became defamatory due to being incorrect, as well as assumptions.

Click to expand...

Quit your whining.

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1) Don't release personal information on the net. If a person can find it with a web search, or even a random surf, then one can hardly call it private information.
2) The definition of defamatory has to include that it isn't true.

3) If you don't want people to do this sort of stuff to you, don't be an ignorant troll.

But I can't say I'm surprised.

--
...Bob, NYC

'Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't.' - Little Big Man

http://www.bobtullis.com

snake_b said:

Let's say a user on this forum lost his cool, then decided to use info he likely scoured from who knows where on another user, which wasn't released themselves, nor authorized for disclosure.

Click to expand...

I'm not a big fan of your posts. Assuming your statements are accurate, that poster should be banned.

Dave

snake_b said:

Would you be ok with it? I am a victim of such an act, where another user started posting personal identification information in the course of losing his cool, then making accusations (false ones), to go along with it. Fortunately, I'm in Germany, as is the poster. Thus, I'm protected with very strict laws and that person also presented false information about me, putting his foot in his mouth in doing so.

I've PMd the moderators for a clean resolution by simply wiping the thread's posts, to no avail. I've also kindly requested cooperation from the poster in question, who will now not answer, knowing I have recourse.

So what is DPR's policy, when a poster releases personal data on another poster, then goes further to post damaging, defamatory info to try and win an internet debate?

In my opinion, one can lose their cool, but that NEVER makes collecting and releasing private data acceptable, EVER. That's when one should step away from the forum. However, that person seems to have stepped away too late.

The lack of response from DPR is also troubling. Needless to say, it's also troubling that this poster was able to come up with some information about me, though the rest of the stuff became defamatory due to being incorrect, as well as assumptions.

Click to expand...

--
"Everyone who has ever lived, has lived in Modern Times"

Wheatfield said:

Brian D. Schneider said:

snake_b said:

Let's say a user on this forum lost his cool, then decided to use info he likely scoured from who knows where on another user, which wasn't released themselves, nor authorized for disclosure.

Would you be ok with it? I am a victim of such an act, where another user started posting personal identification information in the course of losing his cool, then making accusations (false ones), to go along with it. Fortunately, I'm in Germany, as is the poster. Thus, I'm protected with very strict laws and that person also presented false information about me, putting his foot in his mouth in doing so.

I've PMd the moderators for a clean resolution by simply wiping the thread's posts, to no avail. I've also kindly requested cooperation from the poster in question, who will now not answer, knowing I have recourse.

So what is DPR's policy, when a poster releases personal data on another poster, then goes further to post damaging, defamatory info to try and win an internet debate?

In my opinion, one can lose their cool, but that NEVER makes collecting and releasing private data acceptable, EVER. That's when one should step away from the forum. However, that person seems to have stepped away too late.

The lack of response from DPR is also troubling. Needless to say, it's also troubling that this poster was able to come up with some information about me, though the rest of the stuff became defamatory due to being incorrect, as well as assumptions.

Click to expand...

Quit your whining.

Click to expand...

1) Don't release personal information on the net. If a person can find it with a web search, or even a random surf, then one can hardly call it private information.
2) The definition of defamatory has to include that it isn't true.

3) If you don't want people to do this sort of stuff to you, don't be an ignorant troll.

Click to expand...

People discuss (or if you like, argue) on this forum all the time. If someone needs to scour the net looking for dirt to score a point, then they are nothing but low life bottom feeders. Arguments stand or fall on their own.

There was one poster on this board who joined a forum where members were rated. He then proceded to systamatically give me bad ratings, and had the balls to take a screen capture of my "poor rating."

This kind of pathetic act is over the top.

Dave

--
"Everyone who has ever lived, has lived in Modern Times"

What personal info? I looked at the thread. She was a little offensive, but I don't see anything to make a big deal out of.
--
Ed Rizk

No, there is no situation where that would be acceptable behavior, and I hope DPR does something to remedy the situation.

That being said, if you weren't such an a$$ this probably wouldn't happen too often.

Anything that is accessible to other members in a forum is fair game. If he/she used personal information that the two of you shared in better times, privately, and published it in an attempt to defame you or humiliate you, that's one PO'd former friend, and I would say what he/she did was unethical only if one could be reasonably certain that if the table were turned, she/he would be equally outraged, humiliated, etc. Trouble is, some personalities wouldn't give a fig, and then where would you be?

Deontologically (sorry, I teach ethics), it is generally not right to break a promise to another person, and if the information were privately shared in better times, this is an egregious breach because the understanding was that the information was given on the condition of the maintenance of that trust and of confidentiality..

My personal info was not shared, nor was that person authorized to give it ou by me. Additional comments were untrue, and an incredible mistake on this user's part.

You may not like posts from people, but going ahead and releasing info, even finding it, reprehensible.

The decision of "if it's a big deal", is up to the person whose info was shared. The fact is, if the other user has some info, "how did they get it and who from and why?" are the next questions.

Ed Rizk said:

What personal info? I looked at the thread. She was a little offensive, but I don't see anything to make a big deal out of.
--
Ed Rizk

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http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1018&message=38687380

If so, it would seem to me you are getting worked up over nothing. If you are refering to a different thread, then please provide a link so we may judge for ourselves.

--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'

• Rayna Butler

Again, no one but the victim can judge what's a violation and what's not.

snake_b said:

Again, no one but the victim can judge what's a violation and what's not.

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If you're so sure, get her to court and be done with it.

FWIW, if the you're personal info was age, ethnicity, and migratory status and the defamation is that you don't know how a country feels, I have to agree with Godspeaks.

Not to say that the reply wasn't bad form or even a tad xenophobic, but all in all not a big deal.

I'm afraid that from my point of view you are over-reacting & some of your comments hint at paranoia. If you choose , as you did, to harshly criticise others , in fact, a whole country then you shouldn't be too surprised when others disagree with you & respond in their own fashion.

I can understand why DPR are reluctant to interfere with inter-personal disputes & don't have the time or inclination to delete all claimed unwanted or alleged dubious posts. They do delete whole threads which get out of control & do ban folk from time to time & they have some experience in making such judgements even if they do get it wrong on occasions
--
Keith-C

Or it would be much easier, and DONE, if dpr removed the content. Much easier for both parties. Especially in Germany, where there are extremely strict laws that guarantee a person's personal right against defamation (and in this case, the person went on too much thinking I didn't speak German, was a non-integrated temporary resident, and a non-citizen).

Again, no matter how much someone is upset, personal data that the person hasn't authorized is quite far. And where and why has this person gone? That is even more troublesome.

igb said:

snake_b said:

Again, no one but the victim can judge what's a violation and what's not.

Click to expand...

If you're so sure, get her to court and be done with it.

FWIW, if the you're personal info was age, ethnicity, and migratory status and the defamation is that you don't know how a country feels, I have to agree with Godspeaks.

Not to say that the reply wasn't bad form or even a tad xenophobic, but all in all not a big deal.

Click to expand...

snake_b said:

Let's say a user on this forum lost his cool, then decided to use info he likely scoured from who knows where on another user, which wasn't released themselves, nor authorized for disclosure.

Would you be ok with it? I am a victim of such an act, where another user started posting personal identification information in the course of losing his cool, then making accusations (false ones), to go along with it. Fortunately, I'm in Germany, as is the poster. Thus, I'm protected with very strict laws and that person also presented false information about me, putting his foot in his mouth in doing so.

I've PMd the moderators for a clean resolution by simply wiping the thread's posts, to no avail. I've also kindly requested cooperation from the poster in question, who will now not answer, knowing I have recourse.

So what is DPR's policy, when a poster releases personal data on another poster, then goes further to post damaging, defamatory info to try and win an internet debate?

In my opinion, one can lose their cool, but that NEVER makes collecting and releasing private data acceptable, EVER. That's when one should step away from the forum. However, that person seems to have stepped away too late.

The lack of response from DPR is also troubling. Needless to say, it's also troubling that this poster was able to come up with some information about me, though the rest of the stuff became defamatory due to being incorrect, as well as assumptions.

Click to expand...

This is what I have said: "If you, as a 36-year old American-Asian temporarily living in Germany without really speaking the language or understanding the mentality over here,..."

Now guess where I´ve found that information: In your own posts! No big secret and no conspiracy, it´s just a few pieces of what you yourself have posted here before, so "authorized for disclosure".

Checked again, I was 3 years off with saying age 36, might have been just a typo, and also "without really speaking the language" was obviously a bit too strong, you mention a C2 diploma.

"American Asian" is what you said in Sharon´s thread, that post that got deleted by the moderators because several OTF members complained about that Anti-German hate post and nobody replied to you. Even cxsparc gave up on you, after he wrote two very good replies, because Mr. snake_b really believes he knows more about Germany than Germans who have lived here since many decades and not just 3 or 4 years!

Still enough of your Anti-German BS left in that thread (and many others):
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1008&message=38622182

But it was not only in this thread, would have no problems to quote about the same from other posts of yours. Age, birthplace, nationality, where you grew up, color of your skin - YOU posted about it, so nothing about ME releasing private data of yours!

If you want me to quote all this here, let me know, would be a rather quick copy-paste thing now, making you look pretty stupid.

But - I know why you reacted so strongly, wrote me two mails and even started this new thread here: I told you that the Federal German Verfassungsschutz not only monitors extrem left as well as right wing people, but also hate preachers. The latter is mainly about radical islamistic people, but your Anti-German and Anti-EU posts here on dpr sure would look interesting to them, too. And you know very well that it´s still out there to read for everybody interested in it.

Learn your lesson, think before you post and stop trying to ruin the reputation of Germany, the Germans or the EU by lies, half truths, exaggerations and generalizations! Critizising is one thing, what you do has a different "quality". So far nothing happened, but if you go on with that, I promise I WILL "lose my cool" and get you in trouble!

Said about the same in a reply to your post in the other thread, just have to split it in halves first, system told me it´s too long for dpr to post.

Chato/Dave,

really disappointed that you want to get me banned, lol! Always thought you are one of the smarter and nicer guys over here! ;-)
René

snake_b said:

Or it would be much easier, and DONE, if dpr removed the content. Much easier for both parties. Especially in Germany, where there are extremely strict laws that guarantee a person's personal right against defamation (and in this case, the person went on too much thinking I didn't speak German, was a non-integrated temporary resident, and a non-citizen).

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Not a lawyer, but I think that defamation requires that you're portrayed in a negative way. Do you think that being a temporary resident is in any way negative?

snake_b said:

Again, no matter how much someone is upset, personal data that the person hasn't authorized is quite far.

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If I'm not musinderstanding anything, it seems that you revealed that information in another thread here.

Why would anyone need an authorisation to repeat it here or anywhere?

snake_b said:

And where and why has this person gone? That is even more troublesome.

igb said:

snake_b said:

Again, no one but the victim can judge what's a violation and what's not.

Click to expand...

If you're so sure, get her to court and be done with it.

FWIW, if the you're personal info was age, ethnicity, and migratory status and the defamation is that you don't know how a country feels, I have to agree with Godspeaks.

Not to say that the reply wasn't bad form or even a tad xenophobic, but all in all not a big deal.

Click to expand...

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--

No theory, no ready-made system, no book that has ever been written will save the world. I cleave to no system (Mikhail Bakunin on Brand Wars)

René Schuster said:

But - I know why you reacted so strongly, wrote me two mails and even started this new thread here: I told you that the Federal German Verfassungsschutz not only monitors extrem left as well as right wing people, but also hate preachers. The latter is mainly about radical islamistic people, but your Anti-German and Anti-EU posts here on dpr sure would look interesting to them, too. And you know very well that it´s still out there to read for everybody interested in it.

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René,

so far okay, but this is absolute b.s. Snake's opinions are not a matter of 'hate preaching' in the sense that you imply. I'd say: free speech for all, including snake_b of course.
If you feel compelled to dispute his views you're however free to do so.

--
cheers, Peter
Germany

Rene

Again, I'm not a "hate preacher", which is an extraordinarily serious allegation in Germany, along with the fact of not being true. If I was, then the actual news stories I used in that post, which you are now embellishing on because it's gone, are also guilty. I even provided photographic proof, in the form of a schwastika, which is a common occurance in Germany. I documented it because it shocks me to still see it, and it's also confirmed by the interior ministry. I've also mentioned how it's more of a game here to show anti-right wing feelings when the cameras are there, then ignore it the rest of the year. I provided proof, and can provide further proof, of such things as lack of. Here's only one example:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1571608/German-police-routinely-ignore-racist-attacks.html

Yet you claim I'm ruining Germany's reputation? I say: go after these people because they are the source. Not their victims.

What you did was put your foot in your mouth, assuming I was a visitor here, assuming I'd be scared off by you, as you thought I don't speak German. You found out quite strongly that you are wrong.

Regardless, it's sad and telling you didn't bow out to my offer of a "clean resolution" because it's truly the best way for you to save face and both of us to just move on. I thought I was being the bigger person for doing so, and maybe I am, but your hate speech, along with false allegations prove that I can't come to an easy conclusion with you.

From IGB:

"> Not a lawyer, but I think that defamation requires that you're portrayed in a negative way. Do you think that being a temporary resident is in any way negative?

René Schuster said:

"

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This is not a case of US law. It's German law, since we're both in Germany. Additionally, making an internet accusation of someone being a hate preacher and "getting them in trouble" with the federal police is extremely strong, and thankfully, I have legal recourse in that case, when someone decides to defame me in an immature manner.

The next thing is it's an issue of knowing right from wrong and obviously, Rene doesn't see that in the very posts he/her posted up, as well as some of you, saying personal data is "fair game". I'm sure none of you would say that in instances of stalking, data phishing, or other scams out there.