ArRSe Can't Protect You...

[guzzijon]

A timely reminder that even as anonymous usernames, gobbing off at each other and the world in general in the vastness of cyberspace- we are all responsible for our own posts.
There is a report in today's Sunday Times of 'leading cosmetic surgeon' Dr Jesper Sorensen taking action against two Mumsnet* posters who criticised him in a since-deleted thread. The High Court has ordered Mumsnet to comply with his demands to give up the identity of the two posters- he's offered to cover any costs incurred by the website in identifying them. Mumsnet must not only reveal their real identities but also copies of all relevant PMs between the usernames concerned and any other users that it, 'reasonably believes refer to Sorensen or his surgery.'

Sorry, the ST article is behind a paywall here:-
Surgeon unmasks critics on Mumsnet
but here's a Mumsnet thread on it :- Sunday Times story today about Mumsnet having to reveal posters' names | Mumsnet Discussion

*Apologies for mentioning the Mumsnet website but it's really irrelevant which particular forum is involved in this- the interesting bit is the process.

 

[Sixty]

That's always been the case here too. The COs will, quite correctly, tell anyone requesting data on members to jog on - unless, and this is the key point - they back it up with an enforceable court order.

Arrse is far, far less anonymous than you may think, with many members knowing each other through shared service, social gatherings and such.

If in doubt, apply the 'would I say this out loud in court' test.

 

[BiscuitsAB]

Never post anything you wouldn't be prepared to back up in a court of law. ( even if it's outrageous bollocks)

 

[guzzijon]

Yeah, I've always thought that there is good level of self and peer censorship of stuff that strays into dangerous territory.

 

[stacker1]

Arrse is far, far less anonymous than you may think, with many members knowing each other through shared service, social gatherings and such.

Lets not forget the rumour about Mods sharing people email addresses via Facebook pages.

 

[CorpTax]

Dear Doctor

Unfortunately we are unable to provide information regarding the two Harpynet correspondents as you request, other than one gave her name as "Lily Savage" and the other as "Pussy Galore". It seems that the Law does not require us to check names and addresses given to us, nor does it require applicants to furnish us with true details.

We are sorry to disappoint you on this occasion.

Yours, Harpynet

 

[DeltaDog]

Unfortunately we are unable to provide information regarding the two Harpynet correspondents as you request, other than one gave her name as "Lily Savage" and the other as "Pussy Galore". It seems that the Law does not require us to check names and addresses given to us, nor does it require applicants to furnish us with true details.

"Just give us the IP addresses then."

 

[The_Snail]

"Just give us the IP addresses then."

According to my IP, I'm in Manchester. Eww.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

According to my IP, I'm in Manchester. Eww.

Royal Infirmary or North Manchester General?

 

[stacker1]

That's always been the case here too. The COs will, quite correctly, tell anyone requesting data on members to jog on - unless, and this is the key point - they back it up with an enforceable court order.

Has anyone ever tried (Via a court order)

 

[CorpTax]

"Just give us the IP addresses then."

That would be useful. Did you know @The_Snail is in Manchester at present? I'm in Lancaster, 23 miles from where I am . . .

 

[CorpTax]

And so is the bloke next door, it seems . . .

 

[The_Snail]

Has anyone ever tried (Via a court order)

Didn't @rgjbloke do it because his business was suffering and his family were reading this website or something? It was about the time he asked for his account to be deleted.

 

[CptDanjou]

According to my IP, I'm in Manchester. Eww.

Here ?

Manchester Care Homes | Companionship, Fun | Acacia Lodge

 

[Offendi]

"Just give us the IP addresses then."

I'm in Dublin, over 100 miles away and the phone company don't have my name.

Good luck chasing me up.

 

[Sixty]

Lets not forget the rumour about Mods sharing people email addresses via Facebook pages.

I'd have to know about it before I forgot it. The only person from here I have on FB is scaryspice since we're mates in real life.

 

[Sixty]

Has anyone ever tried (Via a court order)

Yes.

 

[DeltaDog]

That would be useful. Did you know @The_Snail is in Manchester at present? I'm in Lancaster, 23 miles from where I am . . .

They'll send a court order to your ISP, asking them to reveal which of their customers was using that IP address at the time and date of the offending post.

 

[Murphy_Slaw]

I'm in Dublin, over 100 miles away and the phone company don't have my name.

Good luck chasing me up.

Cheers for that Dave.

Oh and I'll be round on Tuesday to pick up that tenner you owe me.

 

[The_Snail]

Here ?

Manchester Care Homes | Companionship, Fun | Acacia Lodge

Nope. I am now apparently in the middle of the River Thames.

Help meeee, I'm drooowwwwnnniiinnng.

(I'm actually in bed watching telly with my spaz leg resting).