Paranoia
My god there are groups going “private” just because of some scare-mongering about access via Google.
Come on folks, if Google can access our blogs and posts do you really think making the groups private is going make one jot of a difference?
Do what I do. Make sure you NEVER post anything on here, or any other site for that matter (especially facebook. Christ does that thing leak) that you either couldn’t or wouldn’t say to someone’s face.
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in Senior Chatters
way there are some groups on here where members are looking for support, I think by making those groups private enables those members feel safe. and able to talk about issue they may have or had to help someone else going through the same problem.
For some members way, this may be the only outlet they have, where they feel they can talk about problems they have, there are a lot of people who have noone to talk to, maybe this site to a lot of people is a lifeline… a hug, a kind word, or someone who can relate to a problem, members with experience in that subjet can help some of these people.. these groups are where people can say how they feel in whatever context, without the judgment they may feel elsewhere.
~ Not all members like to go into chat and feel more comfortable posting in a group….maybe some members have joined the site to post rather than chat…..I don’t like to think of it as paranoia way, and of course, I know we cannot be 100% secure, but some are just taking some necessary precautions the best they can…..
There are a lot of lovely people on this site who are willing to support others on here……….who do find time to answer and support members, I personally would rather take what precautions we feel necessary, than no one post at all……
Of course groups which are non sensitive? then yes, I agree, going private would be somewhat over cautious!!!
debz
xx
Dear God, I know they are lovely people. I wouldn’t have stayed her all this time if, for the most part, they weren’t.
All I meant was that, private or public, I don’t think it makes much difference to what can be accessed on the internet.
My intent was never to disparage anyone, merely to warn.
Didn’t take it in that context at all Way. Like I said (look down where I put it in the wrong place, lol), I think there are many of us who had no idea and are glad some of this is now coming to light.
Got me thinking now about how much good it is doing to have private groups, other than on this site. For that, I can only thank you.
May I add that, if my comments upset anyone I apologise unreservedly. That was never my intent.
Nor me. Am too happy to have figured out where to reply! 🙂
oh way you’ve not upset me!….not at all 🙂
Actually I have a group on here, which even members cant see unless they are a member….. I’ve googled what I’ve put in that group and nothing comes up at all…so we can be somewhat secure….
I do understand what you were trying to say way…. 🙂
debz
x
I think there are 2 issues here Way. The first of which is internet privacy, and we all need to be more aware. It is never a bad thing to learn what is out there, and some of us are just discovering this.
The second, and larger issue my friend Debz is talking about is the sensitive nature of some of the groups. It comes down to a simple question. Would you choose to discuss a personal issue (given you had no one else to talk to) that any member, or anyone wandering into SC, was free to read? I would not, and it would sadden me to know that others may look at these groups and avoid them for that very reason.
My thought is that it is about time, and I applaud the the Administrators who have taken steps to create safe environments for those who need them. The only thing missing is that there is not the capability to chat within these rooms, though I know it is not a realistic wish on my part.
I agree Debz and even in “non sensitive” groups I prefer to be cautious for two reasons, 1. some times sensitive content is posted by some members who could easily be identified by their photo or profile 2. if a group is not private everything appears on activity for the scammers who get through in the two days before they have to complete a profile to do whatever it is they intend to do.
I take my groups seriously, and feel it is my responsibility to take care of my members to the best of my ability and that includes keeping them as safe as possible. This is a “safe and secure” site and I intend to do my bit towards that.
I bet you wish you’d never posted this way, But I do agree with you, the net is not as secure as some people think. All I’m saying is be careful with your personal details
Ok, its like this, I lock my front and back door everyday, I don’t answer or let anyone in who I don’t know….
Its a precaution, if someone wants to burgle me,it just may stop the opportunist, and I made what precautions I could…. I could just buy an alarm but is that 100%? I hear so many go off and noone takes any notice….
Or I could stay in and never ever go out?…no I do go out ,and do what I have to do to make my home as secure as I can…from other people I dont know…
I to applaud the the Administrators, they do a grand job…..
Thank you Way you do have to take care on the internet as not everyone is what they seem.Just do not give too many details.
Hello, Way, good to see you. I think your post was perfectly clear, and I don’t know why it was misinterpreted by some.
Way I don’t think you have offended anyone. One of the great things about this site, and especially Blogs, is that we can say what we think and get others opinions/feedback. After all aren’t we “seniors”. Personally, I have put a lot of things on this site that I have never spoken about, just bottled it up. To release some of this has been very cathartic for me. I don’t know how hackers/scammers work, but I think we use nicknames to protect ourselves, but we do need to feel “safe” in opening up our hearts. This is a “friendship” site and part of that friendship is “sharing”, hence the various Groups we have. Women are more open to this, and I can understand your comments. Love you Way xo
That was very elegantly stated, forever. I agree with most of what you said!
I just am very surprised that nobody had ever googled their own real name before this. Why are so many people concerned anyway?.It is very silly to use your own name as a user name. If you google your username, why do you think you can be traced? How do you know that the person you are chatting to in a group, isn’t in fact the person from the next street you would die of embarrassment talking to in person, about the same subject you discussed online? I am a bit bemused by all this to be honest, and then to remove your photos??? C’mon. Unless you are on the most Wanted list. What is frightening, is googling your real name and finding out all the info on you thats out there.I am fuming because there are details of my home phone number which has always been ex directory, on one site.Then there is all the form filling that you have to send into the site owner requesting its removal.People would be stunned to the core, if they actually knew how much data is held on all of us, from what we are likely to eat for breakfast up to the real personal stuff. Did you know that there is one CCTV for every EIGHT people in the UK.The most in the world. That is scary.
That seems the point Illgner. We are not all so “site savvy here”, and it is not surprising that some would not have thought to have googled their names. Also, there may be many venturing into this world for the first time. Are there warnings about using real names before joining this site? Perhaps there are . . . I do not recall, but I doubt it.
In defense of the S/C site….upon my investigation, only blogs are posted on Google, no groups. Just Saying…But I won’t tell my son’s my chat name, lol…just in case! Hahaha
Shy….SC is the ‘Best of the Best’, I agree. xx (lol about telling your son your name)
I’m still glad Way did this post. (Are you way? hahaha)
In the end all it has done in a positive manner is to get us talking and learning. That’s why we love this place!! 🙂
BRAVO CHATTERS!!!! Excellent discussion by all. Very many good points. I only have one question Debz, if your group is not known by all, how would someone who is deemed appropriate ever know it exists, or you know that they should receive an invitation if they dont state something accordingly about themself? Just a thought… I think the idea of privacy in the groups is excellent; sadly we must never forget that there are hackers and they can get to most anything. We do have the best site!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
well helensophie I did post a few blogs for about 2 weeks and a few people did follow my blogs…..
~ I then posted another blog to say I wanted to make it private as someone wanted to copy and paste onto another site, and that bothered me, (what I’ve writen has taken me a long time to do 10 years, I then waited for replies and then made it private.
I had given people the chance to follow and I didnt do it instantly.
The reason Ive not opened it up again is because I’m in contact with a well known TV series who wants me now to publish what I’ve written, in a book and a series in a magazine.
Please no offence to anyone but as I aid I did write quite a few bogs before making it private!!
Thank you to the members who have been following me in the group…..
debz
xxx
spelling error *blogs not bogs!!! lol…
Well Way, I have to say I’m a little jealous. You got more responses to this than I did when I posted my story!!…lol