Recently, there has been a surge of activity regarding respecting JU member's privacy. I think the reason this problem exists is that members of this community think that it is safe to give out personal information here. Don't believe that for one second.
I have found an admitted case of an internet stalker. As you read this, keep in mind that even villians believe themselves to be heros. Would you want someone on the internet interfereing with your life?
Using real life information to harass or go after users beyond the walls of this site.
I gotta take issue with this one, I really do. First of all, what happens outside of JU should not be of concern to JU. Some of us know each other in real life, others have voluntarily given up information about themselves (like mailing addresses, where they work, etc.) to people they later had fallings out with.
On three (and only three) occasions I have considered taking action outside of JU due to things I learned about people *in* JU.
1) A good friend was so depressed I feared she was considering suicide. I ended up contacting no outside authority, but I did let her know that I was considering it for the sake of her young children...and for her own safety because I love her very much. Thank God it never became necessary, but I would have done so if the situation continued and she understands why.
2) A certain teacher we all know was falling apart at the seams, having mental breakdowns right here on these forums for all to see. I was able to determine (from information she freely supplied for all to see) what school district she worked for, and I was tempted to forward some of her more bizarre blog entries to her employer. I truly feared for the safety and well being of the children in her charge. Again, I let her know of my intentions and gave her a chance to seek help on her own, which she did. I never did contact her employer, but if I had continued to witness this deterioration much longer, I certainly would have.
3) The only time I EVER interfered in someone's 'real life' was earlier this year when it became apparant that a certain fat and stinking fish was certainly neglecting his large family (at best) and quite possibly subjecting them to abuse, squalor, medical neglect, an inadequate diet, little education, and a total absence of normal hygienic practices involving soap and water. When provided with what *I* felt to be adequate evidence, I did make a few phone calls to Child Protective Services. My conscience required it, TOU be damned.
The fish, of course, cried 'harrassment' and 'stalking' even though he himself provided me with his new address...KNOWING that I would make this call. (He knew because I told him I would. He still gave me the address.)
What I do after I hit that little red x in the corner, (closing JU) is my business. Just as you admins seem to feel this fish has the right to his 'privacy'...do those of us concerned about certain situations not have the same right?
"little-whip" is an internet stalker. He is why you do not give out personal information on the internet. And he is not the only one.
[edit: little-whip did not take information involuntarily, and "she" was perfectly within her boundries. However, that does not change the point. Do not give your information away, purposefully or accidentally.]