General Chat

Dear Staff,

I've been surprised to find that Genes Reunited has been publishing all my details on Google.

I must have overlooked some small-print when I agreed to register here.

As far as I know I haven't given Genes Reunited permission to make my private details a matter of public record on Google.

Please explain for me how it is that my private details have been available to Google for all to see.

Regards,

Allan Munro-Smith

Because GOOGLE searches the web for data


Nowt to do with GR


it all comes from Google


That's why those of us who have more experience tell newcomers .............

1. Don't use your real names on the board. Scroll down to the bottom of the Community Board, and change the name in the Board Name box from your real name to a board name. That also has the added convenience that you will not be mistaken for anyone else

2. Don't post on the boards ANY identifying facts that could lead to you being found ............... no phone numbers, no email addresses. Be circumspect in identifying where you live

3. Don't post ANY information on LIVING, or possibly living, people



Of course, the converse is that one can google any name, and you may well find information that is of use to you.



But please do not blame GR ........... this is NOT a safe site, just as so mnay others are not safe sites.





sylvia

oh


and there is no point addressing your posting DEAR STAFF

GR staff do NOT read postings on these boards


the boards are only used by members



If you wish to contact GR .............

scroll up to the dark green band

click on Help (at the right end)

Click on Contact us



sylvia

AND IF YOU WANT MORE TRY THE WAYBACK MACHINE

GR are only responsible for the security of the personal information that you enter under "My account" You need to read their privacy policy for further details, including your responsibilities.

However, as mentioned already, any posting you make to the site, may be able to be viewed by non-Member internet users around the world including via internet search engines. so do not post anything which you do not want to be visible to third parties.

Thanks guys.

What a mug I've been.

I just assumed that as PAYING members of this website our privacy was automatically assured by the company that runs this programme.

A special thanks to you Sylvia for letting me know how to switch to a false username.

I've even got my postings here displayed on world-wide Google with my full name showing.

New members should be informed of this sneaky duplicity in bold-type at their very first introduction to this site.

Sheesh. Unbelievable.

Thanks guys.

Allan

Update: What you suggested, Sylvia, doesn't work.

I even put in 'Rumplestiltskin' - and up came 'That username is already taken'.

Same thing with 'Gollum'. The name's already been taken.

not only this site, I made comments on the 1911 census results survey, and THOSE are readable by the general websearcher.
I thought that it was a private entry...........but!!.......
Bob


adding to that,

names that are already taken........I believe that in the early days of Genes Connected many people "joined" but only entered maybe themselves,and one or two others, expecting the world to come to their aid and supply a ready made tree, but soon lost interest. you can see this effect on the names search facility,,,,,,,,,try putting in "donald duck", or "mickey mouse", for instance!

Try another board name.....! I think it has to be unique and must not contain spaces. Certain non-letter characters are also not allowed these days either.

In general ANYTHING you put on a website, whatever the site is, is potentially visible to the rest of the world.

Allen try this way

go into your accounts re-enter your password
then put in your First name (some think made up)
then in your Your current surname (some think made up)
then in your Your birth surname (i have the same name as current surname)

hope this helps

EDIT.... for got to say you then have to click on save

shelly xx

Having the name 'Rambling Rose' helps lol , if people do search it they have to wade through songs and plant sellers first :)

Allan 'Rumplestiltskin 'was a member so you wouldn't get that name you'll need a combination probably..

btw re google... I belong to the writers group and when ever I am looking at emails sent to my google mail regarding it, the 'google ads' come up with all sorts of connected sites...writing courses, writing magazines etc..they are very efficient lol.

Actually, I shouldn't be surprised that we 'go global' the moment we type a few words at a website.

I remember how my niece was a bit peed-off when I told her I was keeping track of her during her uni years by simply Googling her name! :))

"Spying on me, are you?", she said.

"Yep, no need for you to phone me with the latest news of your progress through uni --- it's all on Google --- and 4 billion of us are looking over your shoulder at any one time at the press of a few keystrokes!!"

"Hummph!" she snorted. Not a happy girl! :)

I told her that in future I'll only Google her after she's given me specific permission to do so at my request from time to time.

Okay, so I lied. I Googled her anyway.

Such is life.

Regards,

Mr Westward Ho!