aellman Loc: Boston MA

Ever wonder why so many members hide their locations in their profiles. When we only know your nickname and you tell us you live in Iowa, do you think we're going to find you and rob your house? "It is a puzzlement."
>Alan

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

You're a Conspiracy Theorist, aren't you, Alan?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There's a lot of subtle functionality on UHH. I'd think the majority of unknown locations are related to lack of awareness vs purposefully hiding.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

No, not normally. For example, when our astronauts were shown on the moon, I did not think it was actually shot in a TV studio in Area 51. And I still have only a few lingering doubts that Bill Gates was responsible for the Corona virus. I hope that clarifies my credentials. >Alan

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Could be. Didn't consider that.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

I want to believe most are not hiding on purpose. If so, they leave small "bread crumbs" on various social sites over time, usually without knowing it and therefore not doing a good job staying anonymous. In this day and age, it's easy enough finding information on the internet with some creative web searches and piecing information together.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

I always like to know a little about various members. They may be even a fellow Marylander. That would be cool and we'd have something in common.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I don't hide from members. I invite them to come and visit. I'm well versed in the use of firearms if it doesn't work out that they are friendly.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

I laugh at “hiding”. From what, on this comparatively small site? Seriously, your bank and credit card companies know where you are. Just about any social site “knows” where you are. Go ahead, do a deep web search on yourself and see how much information is all over the place. Has my identity been stolen? Yes and I now pay for protection.
Ever noticed that the best posts and photos are from members who are not in hiding? If post is from a member in hiding I never comment or reply. To me, they are only hurting their own experience.
Follow this post and let us watch for a post from someone in “hiding”. LOL.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Very true. If anyone thinks that there's still such a thing as privacy, they are sadly deluded.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

I was born in Oxford. Does that help, Tom?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Using EXIF and the location I once demonstrated to a UHH user that one could locate his dwellings (4 years ago, if I recall correctly). He was shocked when I showed him google earth picture of his home.

This is why you:
- Should not give your location other than state, possibly
- Clean the EXIF before posting an original if you have anything that can identify you. Note that if you only use the thumbnail when posting all the information from your camera is erased.

This is internet and lots of bad things can happen if you do not pay attention. After that he removed his location and scrubbed the EXIF from his original uploads.

The false 'security' mentioned by Dave327 because this site is small and we should trust one another is a joke. Another issue is thief of images that is a recurring issue here. So yeah, trust.

Reduce the risks and do not give any opening to possible abuse. It is not because you can already find anything on internet that you have to help gathering more data. 'Hey! I am going on a cruise and safari next (date) can you help me?' from there if you are careless as Dave suggest, there is a tiny chance of finding a 'moved house' when you return.

It is about common sense, nothing else, same as posting your e-mail in a public channel.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

I am not nor ever have been careless. But, in todays World it can happen and that is the point I was trying to make. My info back 25 years is on the “dark web”. As I stated, have a deep web scan on yourself.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

If you do not minimize the risks you create your own issue. Your ID was stolen? Great for you. Shows you are way under protected then and now because 'paying for protection' does not replace common sense.

Common sense says:
DO NOT VOLUNTARILY GIVE YOUR INFORMATION.

Simple no?

As to dark, light web or whatever colored web you like? We all know more is available than we think so why give an additional traceable imprint of your web presence anywhere?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

The Equifax data breech (and others) have compromised a large percentage of US citizen’s data including their SSN, which is one of the few things that you cannot change. That, plus relational data bases, have rendered the concept of personal privacy largely moot unless you own nothing, do not have an SSN, do not have credit, a bank account, a motor vehicle, etc, etc, etc.

That was demonstrated to me recently, when by luck (and a letter from Chase), I discovered that someone in Miami had opened two charge accounts in my name and immediately maxed both accounts. All they needed was my name and SSN (didn’t even use the same address), and they were given a 2K$ credit line in real-time at two different national chains. I’ve taken steps to prevent that in the future, but it should be a warning to everyone to freeze all three national credit bureau records to all new applications except when you unlock them for a loan or credit card and share as little as possible online with sites like Facebook or LinkedIn.