I have noticed on many profiles words to the effect or similiar to........
Sydney University and all other institutions using this site or its associated sites for projects - You do not have permission from me to use any of my profile or pictures in any form or forum both current and future. If you have or do, it will be considered a violation of my privacy and will be subject to legal ramifications.
I was talking to a solicitor neighbour about this without referring specifically to this site but privacy in general and the internet.
She said any information, photographs and private details posted on any public and open forum then becomes public property and can be used in any way and for any purposes as long as the persons identity, location or any identifying details are not used - nicknames are not covered as they are not a legal name.
Although I was generalising with her I assume she meant that any of the above warnings are meaningless and although threats of legal action are stated, the cost of legal action would be high, no privacy laws may have been broken and any right to privacy would be lost in any public legal dispute. has anybody ever taken legal action over usage of profile information? and the Privacy Policy seems to say that any profile information would have to be disclosed in any legal action, which then becomes public.
So, I guess that Sydney University and all other institutions can do whatever they like with any information found in profiles as long as they don't use a clear face picture, any identifying details (tattoos?) and maybe your location.
and... not been a legal authority, this statement in the Privacy Policy seems to say the site can under certain circumstances not actually detailed can sell or disclose your private information anyway - one of the "assets"?
In the event that we sell or buy any business or assets, in which case we may disclose your personal data to the prospective seller or buyer of such business or asset.
Bottom line is - if you don't want people to know anything private about yourself, don't put it in your profile and if you do, there is nothing you can do about it when another person or place uses it for whatever purpose...
Big Brother (or Sister) is watching YOU...
This is all true.
Most people read this on other's profiles and assume that it covers them in some way. IT DOES NOT!
The same has been going on in Facebook for years. "Copy and paste this to your status if you don't want this site to use your information". What people have to realise is that once you sign up to any site you agree to THEIR terms and conditions.
If you don't want your information used in any way then don't be on the internet at all.
Merry Christmas everyone xx
Nicely researched and posted, bbinders.
This is close to the best post we have ever seen, especially as that very statement has been used for many years on AMM and other sites, and now here. We're grateful to you for your time in asking the important questions on everyone's behalf.
That particular statement is well overused, and is now proven useless. Thank you for sharing the info.
A & J
I gotta admit I have a little chuckle everytime I see that Sydney Uni bit on a profile. Funny stuff lol
Ok guys...as far as university research goes. I have undertaken a number of research studies utilising both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. All research must be approved by the university research ethics committee and all participants must have given written consent.
Participants in research studies are never identified personally by name or photographs. Your personal and work address, phone numbers etc are also not identified. General information provided by participants is used eg. age, gender, location, information particular to the research study.
Information gathered is stored securely for five years and cannot be accessed by anyone except those conducting or overseeing the research.
I have included in my profile the non consent disclaimer. This at least stops universities and other organisations from contacting me directly.
As I said, you can never be identified so there really is no issue.
If you want to see the biggest privacy overstep just look at the latest update from facebook for mobile facebook app. If you have it set for auto update I would strongly recommend that you fix it so it doesn't and if it has then beware. They basically want complete control of your phone or mobile device.
G'day all
Copied from another forum ...
App 'permissions'
I was just invited to update Google Maps. In the process I decided to actually read the new permissions. Now included (in my words from memory) is the ability to wake tablet from sleep, connect and disconnect from wifi AND ability to search for, read and use my 'contacts', investigate who, when and how often I contact them. Now why should Google need to contact my contacts, presumably at any time it chooses and in secret? It can also add, remove 'accounts' and delete passwords. Other common Apps are just as intrusive. I find this a bit concerning.
It seems that other things & other mobs than Fb are after control of you and your information
A variant of Caveat Emptor
Basically what ever you do or post online does not belong to you ....... so if you are that paranoid about your privacy (which of course you have none).
Follow this simple step
Stop using all internet services.
There are literally thousands of articles to be found on this subject.
So if you think posting a silly disclaimer on your profile is gong to make any difference think again.
""If you have or do, it will be considered a violation of my privacy and will be subject to legal ramifications.""
Once something is posted online for the whole world to see, your privacy has already flown out the window.
You cannot pick and choose who views it, downloads it, copies it, saves it or sends it.
That's like leaving $100 on the footpath with a note telling everyone not to steal it because it is yours!
When someone does steal the $100 not only do you have to prove it was your $100 but it was the same $100 you left with the note.
Googles spiders crawl most websites collecting pictures and adding them to google images. (who is to say the copied pictures didn't come from there?)
PS...Just wanted to add in regards to "Big Brother (or Sister) is watching YOU..."
It isn't Big Brother you have to worry about watching you OR the universities etc.
It's the little nerds who want to make a name for themselves as a big nerd.
That is why our face photos are not public.
