Social media users should be verified with real ID, IT professionals say

It very much depends to whom your ID is released. This site is an example.


The IET and forum administration know who I am, where I live and how to get hold of me they have indeed managed to post things to me....

Casual browsers of the forum just know me as mapj1, while in case of a problem, those in authority, MI5,  police etc could in principle identify me via the IET if I did something so terrible that I needed to be found in a hurry. That I have no problem with, but you have to trust that the data is not exposed to those that do not need to see it, and is not sold on to advertisers and so on - I'd be more wary of some large American organisation in that regard, whose history of following UK data law is imperfect. 


Of course if I wanted to operate comms and recruitment for some sort of anti-govt organisation in what I considered to be freedom fighters against an oppressive regime, I'd use encryption, veiled speech and/or the traditional pirate radio on VHF or indeed shortwave, the internet is far too easily snooped.

Mike

It works both ways. I don't give correct information to random websites (especially social media) as it is very likely to get leaked/stolen eventually. I use vague addresses, false DOB etc. No random website needs to know exactly how old I am, especially social media. There are so many examples of data being misused for nefarious means and targeted advertising, this is just one small way of limiting the damage. My favourite DOB is 1/1/70 but I have others.... :-)

This is probably not the way to solve the problem of online abuse as you will just end up playing whack-a-mole with trolls while making it difficult for ordinary polite folks to participate (who will then go elsewhere, round we go again).

I am reminded of a story regarding music encryption, in order to stop home copying. One person came up against the inability to play music in her car for which she had paid (can't remember the details DMCA?). So she recorded it direct from a speaker, circumventing all protections - problem solved. Humans will often find a way around any purely technological barrier. My colleague at work who was also bitten by this will never buy music again which is not something social media companies want to encourage.

Indeed - one has to ask why do they need to know ? I routinely refuse to give my Email to shop assistants as that is not  for my benefit at all.

The situation is different when you  are typing or creating content for others to view  then the folk who host it for you ought to know who you are - discussion fora and facebook etc come into that category, as well as image sharing sites and so on, which are otherwise too easily misused.

M.

mapj1:

Indeed - one has to ask why do they need to know ? I routinely refuse to give my Email to shop assistants as that is not  for my benefit at all.

 

I wholeheartedly agree Mike. They ask you if you want your receipt emailed to you (disguised as environmentally friendly reasons) when really they're asking you for your email address so they can pop you on their marketing mailing list! 

As far as I am concerned, Social Media is the work of the Devil!


Regarding shops etc asking for your email address, although I don't routinely do it, if you have your own domain name or indeed set one up for this explicit purpose, you can allocate each email address questioner with their own unique email address. So for example if I was asked in B&Q for my email address, I could give out b&q@ancient-mariner.co.uk etc, then if I start getting spam to that address I know where it came from. I have heard of people who formally advise those that they give out their email address to that it explicit to the contract that their details including this email address are not passed on, sold or used for advertising matter under pain of being sued for breach of contract!


One thing that I will not give out, is my mobile phone number.


As a County Councillor, I have to accept that my name, home address, photograph, telephone number and email address will be shown on Flintshire County  Council's website. Admittedly my telephone number is a VoIP number which I can dispense with by not keeping it in credit and my @flintshire.gov.uk email address is only there whilst I am a Councillor.  Strangely(?) MPs do not have to give their similar details either on the the members.parliament.uk website. The MP's Nomination Paper has the option "I require my home address not to be made public"

Clive

AncientMariner:


... if you have your own domain name or indeed set one up for this explicit purpose, you can allocate each email address questioner with their own unique email address. So for example if I was asked in B&Q for my email address, I could give out b&q@ancient-mariner.co.uk etc, then if I start getting spam to that address I know where it came from. 

 

That's exactly what I do as well AncientMariner! ? I have had my own domain name for many years now and use it in just the way you suggest. My domain name costs only a few pounds per year and I get to use as many permutations of email addresses attached to it as I want to. 


Going back to verified profiles though I always find it useful on social media to see that 'verified' tick (on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for example) so that you know you are engaging with the right organisation or person etc.  Imposter accounts are rife in social media!