That smiley issue

[Anthony Butcher]

I have had a number of people messaging me because they are concerned about the issue of off-site images being used by a forum member in Private Messages to track IP addresses on this site.

As far as I am aware there is nothing illegal happening here. The only information that can be gathered in this way is the IP address that you had when you looked at that image. This is no different to your IP address being logged on every website, advert or blog that you look at, and with every email that you send.

However, if the person embedding these pictures in a message already has information about you, including the same IP address, then he will be able to cross reference them. The only new information that this would provide is that user A on this forum and user B on his forum are probably the same person.

He is still obliged to protect your personal information under the Data Protection Act of course.

I have disabled the use of images in Private Messaging, which should make this tactic more difficult.

[Levi]

Not enough love in this forum Anthony! Break out the Garibaldi and the fresh tea and coffee!

[BratfudSteve]

Why bother Anthony? ...it's only the sock puppets and trolls who'd need worry.

[Petrosal]

He is still obliged to protect your personal information under the Data Protection Act of course.

I have disabled the use of images in Private Messaging, which should make this tactic more difficult.

He was also doing it in posts Anthony - see here.

As you are aware Anthony, some people tend to ignore the Data Protection Act and splash personal details in the public domain anyway gleaned from this juvenile little "trick".

[dyno1066]

I understand people have been barred from this forum in the past, but I would like to know what for, as it seems its quite acceptable for the same poster to publish peoples personal details and get their IP addresses so he can cross reference them, yet have no action taken against him.
People on various threads have mentioned that this particular individual is in "cahoots" with the admins, and I have seen nothing to disprove this.
I know I am fairly new to all this internet forum stuff but I cannot believe that you sit back and allow people to publish details that could result in assaults or worse, without any form of rebuke.
If the person whose details were published on here HAD been assaulted, would you be liable as an accomplice ? I genuinely dont know but I presume you do as you allow it to happen.
PS I did not even know this section existed until Petrosal posted a link to this thread lol

[Anthony Butcher]

The member concerned received an infraction and a warning not to publish personal details of other users. The thread in question (which featured a guess of the identity of a single other member) was deleted as soon as we were aware of it.

[Anthony Butcher]

He was also doing it in posts Anthony - see here.

As you are aware Anthony, some people tend to ignore the Data Protection Act and splash personal details in the public domain anyway gleaned from this juvenile little "trick".

I have made it clear that we don't like this behaviour, so if it happens again, please let me know.

[simonbennett]

James Fitton has been abusing this forum and its members. He has run a systematic campaign of hate and bullying against a 73 year old man that wouldn't hurt a fly. He has also incited violence towards my family and myself.

He has done this whilst hiding behind a sock puppet. James Fitton has been the only one "exposed" by me and quite frankly he's lucky he's getting off that lightly. As for other IP addresses all I have done with those is match them with various sock puppets so I know who those that abuse me are.

As has been stated by Anthony, whilst it is a little devious it is not illegal. Anyone posting an image in the forum can track IP addresses if they know how. Cyber bullying a 73 year old man is illegal and thoroughly abhorrent not to mention completely cowardly.

I suspect the only people concerned about this are those with something to hide or those that like to bully others whilst hiding behind the sofa.

[Horatio]

James Fitton has been abusing this forum and its members. He has run a systematic campaign of hate and bullying against a 73 year old man that wouldn't hurt a fly. He has also incited violence towards my family and myself.

He has done this whilst hiding behind a sock puppet. James Fitton has been the only one "exposed" by me and quite frankly he's lucky he's getting off that lightly. As for other IP addresses all I have done with those is match them with various sock puppets so I know who those that abuse me are.

As has been stated by Anthony, whilst it is a little devious it is not illegal. Anyone posting an image in the forum can track IP addresses if they know how. Cyber bullying a 73 year old man is illegal and thoroughly abhorrent not to mention completely cowardly.

I suspect the only people concerned about this are those with something to hide or those that like to bully others whilst hiding behind the sofa.

Mr Bennett, tracking an IP address is not illegal, agreed. But where you have committed a criminal act is that you used data, entrusted to you to protect (i.e. in this case, members' details they gave when they registered on a website under your control), to cross reference the IP address to that which you deviously obtained from this website. You then published that personal data to the world in an illegal posting on here. Firstly, I assume that you are registered with the Information Commissioners as a 'Data Controller'? Secondly, as a registered 'Data Controller' you are legally required to protect and use people's data in accordance with law. This you failed to do. That is a criminal offence, and complaint is being lodged with the Information Commissioners to conduct a criminal investigation into your actions.

The offending page has now been deleted by the moderators, quite rightly, but nevertheless, screenshots of that page have been submitted to the Information Commissioners as evidence.

[Danny]

Mr Bennett, tracking an IP address is not illegal, agreed. But where you have committed a criminal act is that you used data, entrusted to you to protect (i.e. in this case, members' details they gave when they registered on a website under your control), to cross reference the IP address to that which you deviously obtained from this website. You then published that personal data to the world in an illegal posting on here. Firstly, I assume that you are registered with the Information Commissioners as a 'Data Controller'? Secondly, as a registered 'Data Controller' you are legally required to protect and use people's data in accordance with law. This you failed to do. That is a criminal offence, and complaint is being lodged with the Information Commissioners to conduct a criminal investigation into your actions.

The offending page has now been deleted by the moderators, quite rightly, but nevertheless, screenshots of that page have been submitted to the Information Commissioners as evidence.

savage when are you going to condemn the on line bullying and hate campaign of british freedom chairman peter mullins by a member of your so called team james fitton.You have in the few days since fitton was exposed defended fitton saying hes a great man oh really.now again do you condemn the on line bullying and hate campaign yes or no.?I wont hold my breathe for you to condemn such antics folks thats says more abour Mr savage and his colleagues and just what type of people they really are trully sickening