Discussion
Open question, would welcome opinions!
I am a member of another large forum, concerning a slightly embarrassing subject
which I joined in April. I set up my profile with a username of Andy Zarse, surprise surprise! 
and took the plunge.
Six months down the line one of their Admin team decided he didn't like my username as it contained the word arse. So he unilaterally decided to change it for me. Ignore the fact that Zarse is a perfectly normal everyday Polish surname, it is in fact not my actual surname although I am partly a member of the broader worldwide Zarse family.
Firstly this guy did not bother to tell me he was changing my username. Secondly, and most importantly, he changed my username to my real name, again without even telling me! Since my computer logs on automatically when I open the browser I didn't notice for some weeks. Therefore there are now posts with Andy Zarse linked to posts containing my surname, so it wouldn't take Einstein to work out my full name being Andrew xxxxxx!
Naturally I wrote to the Admin team to enquire an explanation and basically they told me to eff off!
Also there are now photos of my three year old son in our caravan
with his surname next to it. We all have good reasons for wishing to remain anonymous on such forums (including hiding from maniacal ex-wives) and I think their action is frankly outrageous. I'm really quite cross with them.
Also, as a further minor irritant, I was told that they didn't care if Zarse was a proper name as it was foreign and that this was an "English only" forum. What they do with people called Higginbottom from S
horpe I have no idea!
Clearly, their action breaches their own stated Privacy Policy and also their Children's Privacy Policy. Anyone know if this is a breach of Data Protection Act principles too? Can anybody offer a reasoned, or not-so-reasoned reply as to how I could take this forward? Humorous replies gratefully received too!
I am a member of another large forum, concerning a slightly embarrassing subject
which I joined in April. I set up my profile with a username of Andy Zarse, surprise surprise! and took the plunge.Six months down the line one of their Admin team decided he didn't like my username as it contained the word arse. So he unilaterally decided to change it for me. Ignore the fact that Zarse is a perfectly normal everyday Polish surname, it is in fact not my actual surname although I am partly a member of the broader worldwide Zarse family.
Firstly this guy did not bother to tell me he was changing my username. Secondly, and most importantly, he changed my username to my real name, again without even telling me! Since my computer logs on automatically when I open the browser I didn't notice for some weeks. Therefore there are now posts with Andy Zarse linked to posts containing my surname, so it wouldn't take Einstein to work out my full name being Andrew xxxxxx!
Naturally I wrote to the Admin team to enquire an explanation and basically they told me to eff off!
Also there are now photos of my three year old son in our caravan
with his surname next to it. We all have good reasons for wishing to remain anonymous on such forums (including hiding from maniacal ex-wives) and I think their action is frankly outrageous. I'm really quite cross with them.Also, as a further minor irritant, I was told that they didn't care if Zarse was a proper name as it was foreign and that this was an "English only" forum. What they do with people called Higginbottom from S
horpe I have no idea!Clearly, their action breaches their own stated Privacy Policy and also their Children's Privacy Policy. Anyone know if this is a breach of Data Protection Act principles too? Can anybody offer a reasoned, or not-so-reasoned reply as to how I could take this forward? Humorous replies gratefully received too!
Andy Zarse said:
What they do with people called Higginbottom from Shorpe I have no idea!
Re-register using that persona and find out. horpe I have no idea!Andy Zarse said:
Clearly, their action breaches their own stated Privacy Policy and also their Children's Privacy Policy. Anyone know if this is a breach of Data Protection Act principles too? Can anybody offer a reasoned, or not-so-reasoned reply as to how I could take this forward? Humorous replies gratefully received too!
Have a trawl through this - http://ico.org.uk/for_organisations/guidance_index...You won't "win" this particular argument with admin/moderators on your own. You'll have to drum up support from other prolific and popular members to get the admin to even think about reappraising their approach. However, 99 times out of 100 they'll just dig their heels in and you'll end up with a forum ban. Little Hitler syndrome.
Bad luck.
Bad luck.
You shouod be ashamed!
Is it a website/ forum in its own right, or is it the website/forum of a club?
If it is the latter, try contacting the club.
Maybe chuck them a letter outlining a contravention of confidentiality, child protection issues etc. Threaten publicity, reporting them to the info commissioner getting an injunction.
A load of bluster and b
ks but it might just scare them or persuade them to do as you ask to get rid of you.Or
Tell us the website and we coud all register as Ivor Biggun Mike Hunt. Hugh Jass Et al.
The DPA entitles them to store data such as your name and address however the data must be used for the purpose for which it was provided. Your name was not provided to be disclosed publicly. I would invite them to provide to you the name of the DPA officer and a copy of their policy.
Jasandjules said:
The DPA entitles them to store data such as your name and address however the data must be used for the purpose for which it was provided. Your name was not provided to be disclosed publicly. I would invite them to provide to you the name of the DPA officer and a copy of their policy.
Thanks to everyone for the comments, both amusing and serious I think they are exempt from registering with the Data Commissioner, it is not a properly commercial organisation. However, I have pointed out to them that this does not exempt them from fulfilling their legal obligations under the Act. I'm waiting for their reply.
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