Date of Birth Requirement..Bad Idea

[dthomas]

I think requiring a real name and date of birth is asking for trouble. I just finished up working three years as a document crimes detective which included investigating identity theft. The valley is #1 in the country for identity theft. What is being asked of members is to put their real names and dates of birth out there for all to see. This is all that is needed to wreak havoc with someone's identity. The names maybe hidden in the future but many individuals sign their posts with their real names.

It is a very bad idea to put your real name and birth date out there in such a public display. I will not provide it and I would advise against others from doing it also. All the information the AHA needs from me or anyone else is already contained on our applications.

[Cmpyrrhus]

I think requiring a real name and date of birth is asking for trouble......What is being asked of members is to put their real names and dates of birth out there for all to see. This is all that is needed to wreak havoc with someone's identity. The names maybe hidden in the future but many individuals sign their posts with their real names.

As Bill said, and as it seems you acknowledge, this would be kept as a private measure for Bill and the mods to work with. As for user names, it is pretty common on some forums, including the Fauna BOI and the AZ PARC forums. Identity theft would be easier on another level as compared to pulling just a name and birth date of a forum. Also, I bet there is some common sense with putting these sorts of information up for the world to see. Many people understand the small risks involved here with it. It is just an optional thing and not required.

For those that do use their real name, maybe they do and maybe they dont know that they are allowing "some" of their identity up on a public venue. Regardless, it has been done by a number or forums and am sure nothing bad or hectic has come from it.

[dthomas]

Identity theft would be easier on another level as compared to pulling just a name and birth date of a forum.

Easier than say, stealing your mail? Or easier than burglarizing your home and stealing the information? Every single person I and my fellow detectives arrested had a computer. Not only did they have one, they knew how to use it and spent considerable amount of time on the interent. A large percentage of identity theft is committed over the internet.

Also, I bet there is some common sense with putting these sorts of information up for the world to see.

You're right. You don't do it.

Many people understand the small risks involved here with it. It is just an optional thing and not required.


As far a date of birth - it will be required because everyone in these forums should be 13 years or older to comply with COPPA rules regarding the internet. Requiring a qualifying birth date is a lot easier to administer than requiring everyone to fill out an online COPPA agreement when they regisiter.


Looks like a requirement to me. What he is saying, to make things easier on them, they want to subject us to an unreasonable exposure of our personal, identifying information.

For those that do use their real name, maybe they do and maybe they dont know that they are allowing "some" of their identity up on a public venue. Regardless, it has been done by a number or forums and am sure nothing bad or hectic has come from it.

By you making this statement, it shows you have no idea the sheer volume of identity theft that is occuring on a daily basis.

Would you go drop your credit card statement in the street? Or your Driver's License? Maybe something bad could come from it, maybe not. But is it worth the risk? Continue with a blase atitude about your personal information and it will not be matter of if, but when you become a victim.

[Bill]

Real name should be secure and only visable to moderators/administrators/board members (and your own control panel settings). The birth date is something we are working on. Stay tuned.
Thanks for the good feedback!!!

[necoris]

I agree 100%.

While we are on the subject, I think adding a forum just for AHA members is kind of retarded.

Dustin

[Steve]

... I think adding a forum just for AHA members is kind of retarded.

Dustin

Why do you say that a member's only Forum is "kind of retarded"?

There is good reason to have a secured Forum for members only. The above thread is just one of the reasons that AHA members should have a secured area!

Best regards,
Steve

[Barjatiya]

Just to put my two cents into this ... I have to agree with dthomas one hundred percent, based on what I have seen in my line of work. Members should be disencouraged to openly show their birth dates and true identities on the site. Granted, I do get a kick out of seeing that info, but in their own interest, it should be omitted. In the AHA's interest, at the very least to disencourage any frivolous law suits (along the lines ... they shouda warned us that something like this could happen !!!!). This is information known to AHA administrators and board members, who, by virtue of having access to it, must carry proper non-profit association's directors and officers insurance to cover them from any liability arising out of accidental or unintentional disclosure of identities to third parties (other than governmental agencies with proper subpoena powers), amongst other things. So much for my two cents, whatever it's worth.

[MikeB]

Steve, what kind of things are envisioned for the members forum? Is it going to be a place for AHA business not meant for public release? I.E. Newsletter, board elections, etc. Or is it supposed to be a place similar to what is currently on the public forums? If it is the former then I think it is a good idea, but if it is the latter, I don't think it is such a good concept.

[Barjatiya]

Necoris, I understand your position about freedom, however ... think LIABILITY, dude ... in my mind that is the only justification, why just about every self-respecting forum does it that way (even those that do not require dues; I think they call it "registered" members). My better half is member of several forums who require their members to "register", even though they do not pay dues.

[MikeB]

Necoris, I understand you position about freedom, however ... think LIABILITY, dude ... in my mind that is the only justification, why just about every self-respecting forum does it that way (even those that do not require dues; I think they call it "registered" members).

This forum is already like that. You cannot post messages unless you are registered. This new forum is for the AHA members among the registered users.

[Barjatiya]

MikeB, thanks for the enlightening feedback. As to your first quote, such forum would make much sense and I can see how that would greatly facilitate AHA everyday business transactions amongst members, board members and officers. In order for this to make sense, however, there would have to be a parallel setup "register user" and "members only" forum for different types of communication exchange. But I guess that would put the ball back into dthoma's field. How secure really is a forum when it comes to confidential AHA information? How easily can a forum be hacked into?

[Steve]

Steve, what kind of things are envisioned for the members forum? Is it going to be a place for AHA business not meant for public release? I.E. Newsletter, board elections, etc. Or is it supposed to be a place similar to what is currently on the public forums? If it is the former then I think it is a good idea, but if it is the latter, I don't think it is such a good concept.

You are correct. The AHA Members Only Forum would be for the Newsletter, Association business, etc.

There is no reason for the public forum topics to be moved to the private forum. That would detract from the overall AHA Forums.

Best regards,
Steve

[KingEvil]

i like the idea of having a members only area, and hopefully features will be added to it on a regular basis.

i think it would also be a good idea to have some way of distinguishing members from non members on this forum. can member's names show up as a different color maybe?

[Cmpyrrhus]

I want to state that I do not disagree with dthomas. What is being said here is a very true risk that every person is acceptable to. I just do not see it as a huge risk as some take it to be. Again, not that it cannot be.

Although, it should maybe be a personal choice on these forums to be part of the AHA Members only board. That would allow those to place their information knowing the risks involved. Perhaps a disclaimer would be appropraite for folks to understand what they are doing may possibly result in some problems.

There are some here on the forums that did want this option. With that being said, perhpas allowing folks to choose this option over being required may be needed? This would allow others to be part of the forums, without needing to put their personal choices aside for the benifit of the forum.

[KingEvil]

I want to state that I do not disagree with dthomas. What is being said here is a very true risk that every person is acceptable to. I just do not see it as a huge risk as some take it to be. Again, not that it cannot be.

Although, it should maybe be a personal choice on these forums to be part of the AHA Members only board. That would allow those to place their information knowing the risks involved. Perhaps a disclaimer would be appropraite for folks to understand what they are doing may possibly result in some problems.

There are some here on the forums that did want this option. With that being said, perhpas allowing folks to choose this option over being required may be needed? This would allow others to be part of the forums, without needing to put their personal choices aside for the benifit of the forum.


posting your real name online isn't a big risk at all. and that isn't even the case here. it has already been stated that your real name will only be displayed to forum moderators. what's the big deal? if you are a member, isn't your real name already known to board members? just signing online could be a risk in itself, especially for those who don't know how to use proxies to fake their ip addresses.

[necoris]

I apologize; I believe I used the wrong word to describe the new "AHA Members Only" forum.

Anyway, I guess a members only forum would be nice, but it will exclude the general public. If that's the intention, great! I wish you the best of luck.

Dustin

[Oldguy]

Some organizations don't foster any open discussions/forums. Since the AHA is providing this then we should be glad and play by the TOS (Terms Of Service) and spirit in which they are intended. I see where security issues are raised but I also see where the AHA is working to better the site. Look how fast the security issue was put to bed. Kudos to the website team!
I see where Bill posted in another thread "Thanks for the feedback and feel free to PM either myself, any of the moderators, and/or board members with anything else you would like to see on these forums." Looks like they want some feedback so instead of a PM I'm replying here:
I'm for a members only forum and don't mind letting the "management" know who I am on the forums so that they can see if I'm up to date on my membership. I think it shows support for a good organization that is trying to better things. There seems to be a lot of people that are not members online and maybe more will join?? This site can't be free to run. Maybe my dues helps a little.
I appreciate the opportunity to learn from all of you and maybe even pass on some of things that I have learned over the years. I just wish I could make more of the meetings. Keep up the good work.

Dan