http://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums/ As a member of these forums you are bound to these terms of use, please read them before posting. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:38:56 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums/images/bellybelly2/misc/rss.jpg http://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums/ http://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums/forum-guidelines-please-read-before-posting/116189-privacy-guidelines.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:02:52 GMT These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the BellyBelly Forum Guidelines.

Complaints of "stalking" or of members passing information on to non-members or other members without their consent are becoming more common on this forum. This is something that the admin & moderator team take very very seriously.

Some examples of this include:

* I am a BellyBelly member. I know a friend, who knows another BellyBelly member. I read what the other BellyBelly member is doing, and then tell my friend about it.

* I have a family member who is on BellyBelly. I search for that family member's name on Google, and I get a long list of messages they have posted on BellyBelly.

All members need to be aware that BellyBelly is not a private forum. Google will search through all areas of the forum, with the exception of the Private Support Groups, the Platinum Members forum, and the Adults Only forum. These are the only areas where posts will not show up on Google or another search engine. Responsibility for safeguarding your privacy on the internet rests with you.

A good rule of thumb when you are deciding what information you want to post on BellyBelly is this: would you be happy to have it posted on the local community noticeboard of your home town? Would you be happy to see it written on a bus shelter? Because that is the kind of exposure that posts on BellyBelly get.


How can I safeguard my privacy?

There are a number of ways you can safeguard your privacy from the general public when you use BellyBelly.

* Consider using a pseudonym or not using your real name, or the names of your children or family (for example, Bubbles as opposed to something likes Maggies_Mum). This can be fun! Be original and creative with your username, but remember it must comply with the BellyBelly Username Guidelines.

* Most people who are searching for information will search using your name, the names of your immediate family members, or your other personal details, such as addresses or phone numbers. As per section 10 of the BellyBelly Forum Guidelines, posting contact information in the forums is not allowed. By not using your name, you make it much harder for people to find out who you are in real life. We encourage you to choose a username that is not easily identifiable. Everybody on BellyBelly understand what the acronyms DD1, DS2, DH, DW etc. mean. If you want to safeguard your privacy, then we suggest that you use them. A comprehensive guide to these acronyms can be found here.

* Be aware, though, that using a false name for malicious purposes is considered trolling, and is a bannable offence. If you choose not to use your real name, then be consistent - there is no need to invent a false history for yourself, or post inconsistent false details about your identity. These are tactics often employed by trolls in order to hurt or mislead our members. It is far more honest to simply remain anonymous if you wish to safeguard your privacy. If someone is asking for information that you feel uncomfortable posting on the internet, simply tell them that you do not wish to answer to protect your privacy.

* Likewise, there is usually no need to post your specific location if you don't want to. General geographical areas, such as Western Suburbs or Mid North Coast NSW is in most cases sufficient if you are being mindful of your privacy.

* In particular, we recommend you avoid mentioning your place of work, especially when venting about your colleagues or manager. No one wants to see you lose your job when your boss stumbles across your posts.

* Respect the guidelines about not posting contact details on the forum (this can be found in section 10 of the BellyBelly Forum Guidelines).

* Think about what you post before you post it. If you know that what you are saying might offend or hurt your family or friends, then consider that if they are internet users, there is every chance they may stumble across it.

* If you need to discuss something of a sensitive nature, then keep it off the public forums. You can apply to join a Private Support Group if there is an appropriate one - posts in these areas are private, not searchable by Google, and all members in a PSG agree not to discuss anything outside of their group. If you are a Platinum Member, you can use the Platinum forums. In some circumstances, and after consultation with a Moderator or Administrator, you may be permitted to register a second account in order to post a question or contribute to a discussion anonymously, in particular where you wish to discuss something of a sensitive nature. This account will often be deleted after use. In some circumstances, having two usernames is a breach of our guidelines - you can read more about that here.

* As well as what you write, be aware of other things you post. Photographs, in tickers or in the forum gallery, may contain images that may identify you or your family. You should not post photographs of others unless you have their permission. If Moderators are concerned that you do not have permission to post a photograph, it will be removed until we can confirm that you do.

* Using the same username or details on other services as well as BellyBelly may create a trail that is easy to follow. If you use the same username on Facebook as you do on BellyBelly, for instance, it makes it very easy for people to find you on both services.


What should I do if I am being stalked?

If you are concerned that personal information that you have posted to BellyBelly is being passed on to a third party without your consent, then you should contact a Moderator or an Administrator. Please refrain from posting about it in public forums.

If you are concerned for your safety, then we may consider deleting your posts on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, though, we will not mass-delete posts or photographs if you choose to leave BellyBelly or change usernames - this creates many problems in threads in which you have contributed and as a result is only an option where you have a real concern that personal information you have posted on the forum might compromise your safety.

You may apply to change usernames if you feel someone is monitoring your activity on the forum. Applications to change username are usually honoured. However, you must still comply with the rules when you change usernames - that is, posting false information about yourself with your new username is still considered trolling and is a bannable offence. If you do change usernames for privacy reasons, you should refrain from posting identifiable details - use DD, DS, DH etc. to refer to family members as opposed to names, and avoid posting details that will allow you to be identified by family or friends in your signature. If you have close friends on BellyBelly that you trust and you would like them to know who you are, then you can PM them and let the know. In some cases, we will also consider transferring your reputation points and post count to your new username or account.

If you leave BellyBelly and choose to return at a later date under a new username, please once more refrain from using false names or background for yourself. Simply remain anonymous. Returning to BellyBelly under a different username and inventing false stories about yourself is trolling, and is once more a bannable offence.


How can I help protect others?

Be mindful of the privacy needs of others. Some of us have no qualms about using our real names and the names of our children or partners. Others do not use their real names. Please respect their decision and do not use their real names, or those of their family, in your own posts. If in doubt, err on the side of caution - use DD, DS, DH.

Do not ask others for personal information in a public area. It makes it quite confronting for people who are trying to remain private to be asked for details about their children, themselves, or their hometown. Respect the desire of others for privacy, and allow new members to decide what they will and won't divulge.

If you have been made aware of someone who has changed usernames then please do not be helpful and let the entire forum know, even in private areas. It is up to the person in question to decide who they will and won't tell. Respect their privacy.


Private Sections of BellyBelly

Members post in these groups feeling it is a safe area and that their posts will remain confidential. If any member is found to have passed on information to 3rd parties without access to closed groups or posted information on other websites or forums etc, their membership to the private groups will be revoked and any fees paid forfeited.

Ownership of posts on BellyBelly

Posts are copyright property of the BellyBelly website, therefore any information or posts may not be reproduced or copied in any way without permission from BellyBelly.com.au. This includes posts across all forums. It is plagiarism to copy another persons words without permission and it is illegal. Any posts found on other websites, either in part or in their entirety, will see the person responsible for taking the information dealt with according to the above guidelines.


Please keep our forums the safe and protected place we have made it. ]]> Forum Guidelines - PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING The ModSquad http://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums/forum-guidelines-please-read-before-posting/116189-privacy-guidelines.html